If you are under review by a Probable Cause Panel, it's important to be transparent and take accountability for errors; showing your readiness to learn from the situation is vital. The goal of the panel is to prioritize patient safety and maintain professionalism. This is an important letter, and I'll help you with an example you can use to construct your letter. Be sure to proofread it to avoid grammatical errors, and have at least one other person proofread it. You want to include acknowledging responsibility, understanding the impact, and taking action to prevent recurrence. Here's an example: [Your Full Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Phone Number]
[Date] Probable Cause Panel
Department of Health
[Address of the DOH]
[City, State, ZIP Code] Dear Members of the Probable Cause Panel, I am writing to address my failure to report a patient fall on [Date of the Incident] at [Name of the Facility]. I deeply regret this decision and fully acknowledge the seriousness of my error. I am committed to learning from this situation and ensuring it never happens again in my professional practice.
I failed to follow the established fall reporting procedures, which could have affected the patient's safety and well-being. I understand that failing to report this incident goes against the standard of care expected in our profession.
Upon reflection, I recognize that my actions—or lack thereof—could have placed the patient at risk by delaying necessary interventions. I understand that reporting falls immediately is critical for patient safety, proper documentation, and potential follow-up care. I take full responsibility for not following these protocols. Since this incident, I have: Thoroughly reviewed the facility's policies and protocols regarding fall reporting and documentation. I have also participated in a review session with my supervisor to ensure I fully understand these procedures. Enrolled in a [workshop/training program/continuing education module] focused on patient safety, fall prevention, and documentation best practices, which will be completed by [date]. Committed to regularly reflecting on my practice and remaining open to constructive feedback to ensure I continuously improve as a healthcare provider. I am fully committed to learning from this incident and to being more diligent moving forward. I understand that my role in patient safety is critical, and this will never happen again. I apologize to the patient, their family, my colleagues, and the institution for any concern my actions may have caused. Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter. I welcome any further guidance or recommendations you may have and am more than willing to participate in additional training or corrective action required to continue my professional development. Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Credentials]
[Your Position]
[Facility Name] This template should give you a solid starting point, but feel free to adjust it based on your specific situation and any requirements the panel may have. It's best wishes, Nurse Beth

Failed to report patient fall, must respond to the Department of Health