Which of the following best describes a proactive approach to patient safety?

A proactive approach to patient safety emphasizes the importance of preventing harm before it occurs. This involves identifying potential risks within a healthcare setting and implementing strategies to mitigate those risks. By focusing on potential hazards before they can affect patient care, healthcare providers can create safer environments and reduce the likelihood of adverse events.

In contrast, waiting for incidents to occur before taking action does not prevent harm and directly undermines patient safety. Focusing on documentation after an incident merely addresses what has already happened, rather than preventing future occurrences. Assigning blame for errors can create a culture of fear rather than promoting improvement, which is detrimental to safety initiatives. Thus, actively identifying and addressing risks embodies the essence of a proactive safety strategy.