Do hospitals support second victims? Collective insights from patient safety leaders in Maryland.

Edrees HH, Morlock L, Wu AW. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf. 2017 Jun 29; [Epub ahead of print].

Clinicians who experience adverse emotional consequences after being involved in medical errors are considered second victims. This statewide qualitative study of patient safety representatives found that most hospitals provide support to second victims, but that gaps in comprehensiveness and timeliness are prevalent. The authors suggest that hospitals consider additional peer support mechanisms. A past PSNet interview featured Albert Wu, who coined the term "second victims."

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