Karolina Brook Taylor Shannon 6
Communicating About Patient Safety
Suggested Reading 1 Valsangkar, N. P., Eppstein, A. C., Lawson, R. A., & Taylor, A. W. (2017). Effect of Lean Processes on Surgical Wait Times and Efficiency in a Tertiary Care Veterans Affairs Medical Center. JAMA Surgery. https://doi.org/10.1001/ jamasurg.2016.2808 2 Myers, J. S., Tess, A., McKinney, K., Rosenbluth, G., Arora, V. M., Tad-y, D., & Vidyarthi, A. R. (2017). Bridging Leadership Roles in Quality and Patient Safety: Experience of 6 US Academic Medical Centers. Journal of Graduate Medical Education. https://doi.org/10.4300/ jgme-d-16-00065.1 3 Reason, J. T. (1995). Understanding adverse events: human factors. Quality in Health Care. https://doi. org/10.1136/qshc.4.2.80 4 Weller, J., Boyd, M., & Cumin, D. (2014). Teams, tribes and patient safety: overcoming barriers to effective teamwork in healthcare. Postgraduate Medical Journal. https://doi.org/10.1136/ postgradmedj-2012-131168 5 Reed, D. R., Oshrine, B., Pratt, C., Fridgen, O., Elstner, C., Wilson, L. P., et al (2017). Sink or Collaborate: How the Immersive Model Has Helped Address Typical Adolescent and Young Adult Barriers at a Single Institution and Kept the Adolescent and Young Adult Program Afloat. Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology. https://doi. org/10.1089/jayao.2017.0051
Learning Objectives 1. Identify the barriers to effective communication among healthcare providers, including hierarchical structures, fear of retribution, and concerns about legal consequences. 2. Demonstrate the importance of open and honest communication in preventing medical errors and improving patient safety. 3. Apply strategies and techniques for promoting a culture of safety and fostering effective communication in healthcare settings.
Introduction
safety and create a culture that encourages open dialogue, constructive criticism, and continuous improvement. Breaking Down Barriers While healthcare providers share a common goal of reducing adverse events and improving the quality of care, the occurrence of patient safety events persists. Effective communication about medical errors plays a critical role in minimizing adverse events. Defining “medical error” is challenging due to various interpretations. One possible definition provided in a 2005 editorial in the Canadian Journal of Surgery is “an act of omission or commission in planning or execution that contributes or could contribute to an unintended result.” Despite the varying definitions, numerous studies have highlighted their impact. A 2016 editorial/study in the journal BMJ states that medical errors have been identified as the third-leading cause of death in the US, and a 2016 study published in the journal Anesthesiology found that as many as 1 in 20 medication administrations in the operating room involved a medication error. It is essential to recognize that adverse events may result from medical errors, but not all adverse events stem from errors.
Patient safety is a fundamental goal for healthcare providers that is accomplished by reducing adverse events and improving the quality of care. Effective communication about potential medical errors plays a critical role in achieving this goal. However, medical errors remain a persistent challenge in healthcare, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of the different levels of communication within medical settings. This chapter explores the concept of medical errors, the barriers to effective communication, the tools available for promoting communication about safety concerns, and the role of organizational culture in fostering a safe and just environment. By addressing these issues, healthcare providers can enhance patient
Institutions must cultivate psychological safety to encourage clinician reporting of adverse events.
42
WHAT DID YOU SAY?
COMMUNICATING ABOUT PATIENT SAFETY 43
Made with FlippingBook Publishing Software