National survey: Risk managers' attitudes and experiences regarding patient safety and error disclosure

Abstract

Risk managers can play a vital role in promoting transparency in health care and enhancing patient safety. However, little is known about risk managers' patient safety attitudes and experiences. Therefore, the authors surveyed members of the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management, the largest organization of health care risk managers in the country. These risk managers identified important areas for improvement in the reporting and disclosure of medical errors.

How to Discuss Errors and Adverse Events with Cancer Patients

“…Support for disclosure is near universal amongst physicians [21,29]. However, only a quarter to a third of physicians personally involved in a medical error disclosed it to the patient [34,37].…”

“…Less is known about the attitudes of hospital executives and their individual institutions. However, when risk managers' attitudes to disclosing errors to patients are examined, an even higher level of support for disclosure is found than amongst physicians [34].…”

Problematic Medical Errors and Their Implications for Disclosure

“…On the positive side, various findings indicate widespread support for disclosing harm-causing error, with 81 percent of respondents in one study noting either the existence of an error disclosure policy at their hospital or one in the making (Gallagher et al, 2006a). Another study reported that four of five physician executives surveyed believed that the doctor and hospital owe an injured patient and family an apology (Weber, 2006).…”

“…Indeed, at least one commentator has argued that if the attending physician was considerably involved in the error, he or she should not initially disclose it in view of the risk of externalizing blame or failing to be empathic, owing to the psychological trauma resulting from the error (Liang, 2004, p. 75). Nevertheless, a recent study of risk managers found 98 percent of respondents favoring the presence of the attending physician (Gallagher et al, 2006a). Other studies have noted that the attending physician is usually most knowledgeable about what occurred, is best positioned to represent the integrity of the institution, and may also be continuing to take care of the patient in the aftermath of the error (Flynn, 2002).…”

A proposed partnership for investigating device‐related accidents

“…Th e manufacturer becomes immediately concerned with product liability and the healthcare facility with negligence. Recent cultural changes (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8) and approaches to improving the safety in systems have emerged (9)(10)(11)(12)(13) that may allow the HCMs and HCFs to join as investigative partners following an adverse event. A partnership investigation has the potential for a synergy that can gather facts and more eff ectively identify the root causes of accidents.…”