Assessing the Perceived Level of Institutional Support for the Second Victim After a Patient Safety Event

Abstract

These results validate a need by associates for emotional support after a PSE and that associates' perception of available formal institutional support services or interventions is low.

Psychological responses, coping and supporting needs of healthcare professionals as second victims

“…Nevertheless, more extensive research to establish second victims' expectations towards institutional support is warranted (Joesten et al. ).…”

“…Second victims are identified as healthcare professionals who are traumatized by an unanticipated adverse event, medical error or patient-related injury (Scott et al, 2010). This concept was first introduced by Wu (2000) to describe the impact of mistakes on healthcare professionals and have been subsequently adopted in recent studies on the distress experienced by healthcare providers after an AE (Edrees et al 2011;Joesten et al 2015;Ullstr€ om et al 2014). Second victims in this review include healthcare professionals from nursing, medicine and allied health departments but exclude students.…”

The Effects of the Second Victim Phenomenon on Work-Related Outcomes: Connecting Self-Reported Caregiver Distress to Turnover Intentions and Absenteeism

“…19 Support from organizational leadership and management in the form of a just culture perspective throughout a patient safety event's investigation may help minimize the shame and stigma associated with being involved in medical errors. 8,20,21 Second victims have expressed a desire to be included in the investigation process of patient safety events, and personal involvement in correcting systems and process failures may aid recovery. 7 Peer support is also widely mentioned in second victim literature, where having a colleague to discuss the details of a safety event in confidence consistently emerges as a desire of second victims.…”

“…7 Peer support is also widely mentioned in second victim literature, where having a colleague to discuss the details of a safety event in confidence consistently emerges as a desire of second victims. 2,7-9,21-28 …”

The experiences of risk managers in providing emotional support for health care workers after adverse events

“…While the emotional impact of adverse events on patients and families is typically apparent, the health care professionals involved often suffer in silence . Health care professionals who are emotionally traumatized following unanticipated adverse events are referred to as the “second victims.” These individuals may experience feelings of anxiety, depression, anger, fear, shame, self‐doubt, guilt, isolation, sleeping difficulties, and disturbing thoughts and memories . Although second victims may seek support from their colleagues or relatives, most do not receive formal psychological support.…”