When should safety concerns be escalated to a supervisor?

• A. Only after attempting to resolve at your level.
• B. When the risk cannot be resolved at your level or if patient safety is threatened.
• C. Never escalate, handle alone.
• D. Only if instructed by policy to escalate

Answer: (B)

The main idea is to escalate safety concerns promptly when they can’t be resolved at your level or when patient safety is at risk. You should first address issues you can handle using established procedures, but if the risk persists or a patient could be harmed, involve a supervisor right away so they can authorize additional actions, resources, or changes to protect everyone involved. This ensures problems are managed quickly and safely, rather than waiting to see if they’ll resolve themselves.

Escalating only after a policy tells you to or trying to handle everything alone isn’t appropriate. Some hazards require immediate supervisor involvement to prevent harm, and waiting for formal instruction can delay essential safety actions.