A system of medical error disclosure

External mandates for medical error disclosure are often justified by potential cost savings, the belief in individual moral obligations in health care, and the concept that patients have rights and providers have responsibilities. Such an approach does not recognise the systems nature of error and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Quality & safety in health care 2002-03, Vol.11 (1), p.64-68
Main Author: Liang, B A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accountability
adverse events
Aviation
Bioethics
Conflict resolution
Disclosure
Failure
Health administration
Health care
Health care industry
Humans
Iatrogenic Disease - prevention & control
Informed consent (Medical law)
law
Liability, Legal
Management
mediation
Medical care
Medical errors
Medical Errors - prevention & control
Methods
Organizational Policy
Patient safety
Patients
Philosophy
Physicians
Policy Making
Quality Assurance, Health Care - organization & administration
Quality control
Quality management
Responsibilities
Risk Management - legislation & jurisprudence
Risk Management - organization & administration
Safety and security measures
Special Paper
Truth Disclosure
United States
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Summary:External mandates for medical error disclosure are often justified by potential cost savings, the belief in individual moral obligations in health care, and the concept that patients have rights and providers have responsibilities. Such an approach does not recognise the systems nature of error and outcomes and the important quality role disclosure can play in a system of medical error disclosure. Systems concepts, the patient-provider partnership, and overall quality of care can be enhanced using a system of disclosure that provides for education about the systems nature of error, fulfils the delivery system philosophy of mutual respect, and integrates the patient and his/her family as a partner in the error reduction enterprise. Such a system can result using clear disclosure policies and procedures sensitive to patient and family needs, open communications with concerned, committed, and compassionate system representatives, and use of mediation methods that foster communication, allow for venting, and are flexible in their approach to resolving conflict, including using apology. Although a system may also result in conflict resolution costs, more importantly it may foster and solidify a team approach to reducing errors and promoting patient safety.
ISSN:1475-3898
0963-8172
2044-5415
1475-3901
2044-5423
DOI:10.1136/qhc.11.1.64