One of the biggest hidden secrets in the medical industry is becoming the hottest topic in law firms all around, medical errors. I became very interested in medical errors after watching the video in class related the same matter. I found an article about an established group, Sorry Works, that’s dedicated to making the process better for physicians, patients, and victims; if possible. “The Sorry Works Coalition, an organization of doctors, lawyers, insurers, and patient advocates that is dedicated to promoting full disclosure and apologies for medical errors as a ‘middle-ground solution’ to the medical malpractice crisis.” I was very shock to know that when a doctor or nurse makes a mistake that they try to hide it. I was under the impression that if a mistake occurred under medical staff then they would admit their fault and have no problem in doing so. However, I have learned better. I found out that the physicians use to follow a method called “deny and defend.” This method failed because it angered the victim’s family even more and resulted in more lawsuits and it gave the facility a bad representation because it gave off the impression that a cover up was involved. They are now trying to change the old process and develop a new process where the medical staff admits their mistake and apologize to the family and try to make the situation better for future patients. What shocked me the most out of the whole article was the statement a lawyer made “if a doctor apologizes for an error and offers compensation, but the compensation is rejected, and a lawsuit is initiated. So, the doctor will go to court, looking like the person who tried to do the right thing by apologizing and making a fair offer but was rebuffed.” I am left wondering is that really what goes on during these lawsuits. How dare the doctors be portrayed as the victims while the real victims are left out alone! I believe that more hospitals should adopt the Sorry Works Coalition at their facilities.
Joint Commission
Journal on Quality and Patient Safety: The Sorry Works! Coalition: Making the Case for Full Disclosure
http://www.jointcommission.org/NR/rdonlyres/5E597FEF-6F86-480D-A1E2-CDD6CB491D3E/0/Sorry_Works.pdf
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2 comments:
Netty,
This was a great topic to cover. I agree completely that doctors should not act like the victims. Things need and should change.
Good topic to research. Very interesting and to the point.
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