Which statement is not a typical attribute of a voluntary reporting system?

• A. It emphasizes learning from incidents
• B. It promotes a non-punitive approach
• C. It maintains confidentiality
• D. Reporters are routinely reprimanded for procedural violations

Answer: (D)

Voluntary reporting systems are designed to improve safety by encouraging openness and learning from incidents without fear of punishment. They typically emphasize learning from what happened, support a non-punitive approach so people feel safe to report, and keep reports confidential to protect privacy and promote honest sharing. The idea of routinely reprimanding reporters contradicts the purpose of such systems because punishment would deter people from reporting in the first place, undermining the goal of collectively identifying risk and improving safety. While there may be separate consequences for intentional misconduct or illegal actions, the standard voluntary reporting framework does not include regular punishment for simply reporting an incident or near-miss.