Answer for HCA 675 What are the risks of revealing mistakes in an open culture, as a way of being transparent with patients and families?  Re: Topic 4 DQ 2

A history of concern exists when revealing medical errors to patients related to liability, financial, and reputational. However, overall most agree that it is an ethical obligation to disclose medical errors to patients Moffatt-Bruce, Ferdinand & Fann, 2016). Financial and reputational concerns stem from the belief that if error is disclosed the public will become aware, ruining the reputation, then clinical volumes will decline negatively affecting the financial aspect. Hospital leaders worry that liability cost will rise due to error disclosure (Mofatt-Bruce, et al., 2016). Which I believe would be true if the disclosure is not handled in the appropriate manner.

Organizations that choose to reduce risk through addressing error in order to better systems can be challenging. People may continue to see these errors as individual failure instead of relating it to the system (Mofatt-Bruce, et al., 2016). This is where the importance of a just culture within the system proves beneficial. That the reporting of human error will not lead to consequences of punishment (Mofatt-Bruce, et al., 2016). This will lead to improvement in process creating a safer environment. “Organizations may benefit from involving patients and surgeons in a structured communication process around disclosure, thereby addressing their concerns in real time. Without these steps, transparency efforts and risk mitigation may backfire if clinicians avoid discussion for fear of feeling exposed or if patients and families become aggravated by a perceived lack of information exchange” (Mofatt-Bruce, et al., 2016, para.5). The disclosure of errors may “result in substantial reduction in medical malpractice lawsuits, lower litigation costs, and a more safety conscious environment” (Mofatt-Bruce, et al., 2016, para. 9). Through the communication-and-resolution program, health systems and liability insurers are supporting the disclosure of errors in order to proactively seek a resolution. During this transparency with the patient, an apology is provided and compensation if appropriate (Mofatt-Bruce, et al., 2016).

References

Moffatt-Bruce, S., Ferdinand, F. & Fann, J. (2016). Patient safety: disclosure of medical errors and risk mitigation. Retrieved from https://www.sts.org/sites/default/files/documents/patient_safety/DisclosureofMedicalErrors.pdf