Patient Safety Primer What are Patient Safety Primers? - AHRQ Patient Safety Network - Patient Safety Primers

Patient Safety Primer What are Patient Safety Primers?
Error Disclosure

Background

Many patients harmed by a medical error never learn of the error. Physicians have traditionally shied away from discussing errors with patients, in part due to fear of precipitating a malpractice lawsuit, but also due to embarrassment and discomfort with the disclosure process. However, attitudes have changed in recent years—most physicians in a 2006 survey had disclosed a serious error to a patient and agreed that such disclosure was warranted.

Surveys have helped to define the components of disclosure that matter most to patients. These include:

- Disclosure of all harmful errors
-- An explanation as to why the error occurred
--- How the error's effects will be minimized
---- Steps the physician (and organization) will take to prevent recurrences

"Full disclosure" of an error incorporates these components as well as acknowledgement of responsibility and an apology by the physician. However, there may be a disconnect between physicians' views of ideal practice and what actually happens. For example, most physicians agree that errors should be fully disclosed to patients, but in practice many "choose their words carefully" by failing to clearly explain the error and its effects on the patient's health.

abrir aquí:
AHRQ Patient Safety Network - Patient Safety Primers