Adverse Events Part 2

Physicians communicate clinical information on a daily basis, but when things go wrong, whether anticipated or not, disclosure conversations with the patient/family are crucial. How you handle this delicate conversation may ultimately set the tone for future conversations and assist in repairing or strengthening the physician/patient relationship. An ill-prepared disclosure conversation may have the opposite effect—leading the patient closer to litigation.^[3]

[3] O’Connell D. Apology and disclosure of adverse events. Presented at: PIAA 2013 Claims/Risk Management Workshop; November 6, 2013; Seattle, Washington.