Self-study Module: Communication of Unanticipated Outcomes
Communication with patients regarding outcomes, including harm, fits within an expected communication practice of open, honest dialogue about care options and results. PeaceHealth supports such patient communication within its philosophy of transparency, value for respecting individual human dignity and worth, and ethical principles.
In keeping with PeaceHealth’s commitment to compassionate care, when an unanticipated adverse outcome occurs, the patient and/or family (“the patient” hereafter) should receive a prompt explanation of how the event occurred and its short and long term effects, even if the outcome is only temporary. When an error may have occurred, the patient should receive a truthful and compassionate explanation about this possibility. Speculation about cause of harm, however, should not be made. The patient should be informed that the factors involved in the injury will be investigated to reduce the likelihood of similar injury to other patients.
This online course is one way that PeaceHealth supports physicians and other caregivers involved in communicating these disappointing outcomes with training, procedural guidance, and access to assistance.
Discussing Unanticipated Outcomes and Disclosing Medical Errors
Part 1: Disclosure Principles, 30 minutes
Includes scenarios
Part 2: How to communicate, 20 minutes
Includes sample scripts
Part 3: Administrative Summary, 5 minutes
This video is an excellent overview of the subject and can be used in conjunction with the PeaceHealth policy “Communication of Unanticipated Outcomes” for just-in-time training prior to an actual disclosure.
This video is one of the products of grant #1U18HS11918-01 that was awarded to the Georgia Hospital Association Research and Education Foundation by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality in 2001. The video was written and directed by Dr. John Banja, an Associate Professor at Emory University's Center for Ethics.
It is used with the express permission of Georgia Hospital Association per Sandra Walczak, VP, December 2004.
Expected time for completion: 2 hours
The learner will need to:
A certificate of completion will be mailed upon receipt of the post-test and evaluation.
ACCREDITATION:
Sacred Heart Medical Center Continuing Medical Education is accredited by the Oregon Medical Association to sponsor Continuing Medical Education activities for physicians.
FACULTY DISCLOSURE STATEMENT:
Sacred Heart Medical Center Continuing Medical Education adheres to ACCME Essentials including the Standards for Commercial Support of Continuing Medical Education with regards to industry support. Disclosure of faculty and commercial relationships will be made known at each CME activity. Speakers are expected to openly declare that discussion of any unlabeled, investigational or outside of FDA approval indications will be clearly revealed to the audience as such.
ENDURING MATERIAL ACCREDITATION:
“Enduring materials are printed, recorded, audio, video or electronic activities, including internet, computer-assisted instruction, and broadcast activities.”
AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION:
Sacred Heart Medical Center’s Continuing Medical designates this educational activity for a maximum of 2 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s) ™. Each physician should claim only those hours of credit that he/she actually spent in the activity.
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