What's New | June 23, 2010

Medical Error Reporting

Since the 1999 Institute of Medicine Report publicized that up to 98,000 patients die annually due to often preventable medical errors, many hospitals have initiated programs to increase medical reporting of errors and reduce costs associated with additional patient care and malpractice lawsuits. Effective programs have changed the hospital culture from blame and denial to transparency and open communication.

The featured Innovations describe three programs that initiated new patient safety processes, including full disclosure of medical errors, open communication with patients, and corrective actions.

The featured QualityTools describe practical resources for reporting medical errors and communicating harm to patients.

Featured Innovations:

• Full Disclosure of Medical Errors Reduces Malpractice Claims and Claim Costs for Health System
with Story
with Expert Commentary

• Monthly Multidisciplinary Patient Safety Conferences Improve Hospital Staff Perceptions of Organization's Safety Culture and Increase Reporting of Adverse Events
with Expert Commentary

• Proactive Reporting, Investigation, Disclosure, and Remedying of Medical Errors Leads to Similar or Lower Than Average Malpractice Claims Costs
with Expert Commentary

Featured QualityTools:

• Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS)
Developed by Food and Drug Administration (U.S.)

• Common Formats for Patient Safety Event Reporting
Developed by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

• Communicating With Your Patient About Harm
Developed by Canadian Medical Protective Association

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Also in This Issue:

Innovations >

• Corporate Health and Wellness Program Attracts High Levels of Participation, Significantly Reduces Health Risks and Overall Health Care Costs

• Provider-Lawyer Partnerships Enhance Access to Health-Related Legal Services for Low-Income Rural Patients, Leading to Favorable Resolutions for the Client

• Sleep Education and Other Support Significantly Reduces Turnover Among First-Year Nurses

QualityTools >

• Developing and Implementing Self-Direction Programs and Policies: A Handbook
Developed by Administration on Aging; National Resource Center for Participant-Directed Services; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation

• Healthy Women Publications
Developed by HealthyWomen

• Patient Guide to the Evaluation and Treatment of Hirsutism in Premenopausal Women
Developed by The Hormone Foundation