Medical Error and Disclosure: Mandate in Quality care and Patient safety

Abstract

Adverse events are inevitable due to the complexity of the healthcare process. Medical errors have gained significance due to their increased prevalence which is detrimental to quality care and the safety of patients. Systemic and latent factors are the major contributors towards the incidence of medical errors. Physicians and public have conflicting ideas towards the process of medical errors and its disclosure. Patients are unable to make informed decisions about medical procedures that are in their best interest. Also, failure to inform the patients about adverse events arising out of medical procedures compromises the patient’s safety. Adverse event disclosure is an important element in dissipating the effects of medical error. Hence medical error disclosure by physicians in the right time is ethical, pragmatic and in favor of the patient and their families. Disclosure of medical errors is not easy and effective communication is the key to building an efficient physician-patient relationship. There are many policies and procedures proposed by the national and international regulators to have consistent and standard medical error disclosure and reporting policies. Health care professionals need to be more aware and use the disclosure policies outlined in every province and state, to develop a culture of patient safety.

Keywords: Adverse events, Medical Error, patient Safety, medical error disclosure