Disclosure after Complication in the Operating Room

Abstract

Patients and families overwhelmingly want to be informed regarding matters related to poor outcomes and medical errors. After the occurrence of a medical error, most patients and families highly value an honest and transparent disclosure of the details as well as a sincere apology from the parties responsible regardless of the degree of apparent harm. When disclosing a medical error to a parent or patient, an organized approach using a truthful and compassionate discussion as the backbone is the most prudent strategy. Additionally, effective disclosure practices can decrease legal liability. This chapter discusses the differences between medical errors and poor clinical outcomes, the distinctions between near misses and sentinel events, the indications for disclosure of medical errors without apparent harm as well as the appropriate use of apology, and an approach for the effective disclosure of a pediatric medical error to a parent.