How physicians can create a culture of patient safety

AMA Leader Commentary. By Timothy T. Flaherty, MD. May 6, 2002.

AMA LEADER COMMENTARY

A few words about current events in medical practice

SEE ARCHIVES

A message to all physicians from Timothy T. Flaherty, MD, chair of the AMA Board of Trustees.

With so much attention being paid today to professional liability reform, any one of us might hesitate to admit that we have ever committed a medical error. But the truth is, accidents do happen, and the best way to handle them is to acknowledge them when they do occur, and use the opportunity to figure out how not to let them happen again.

We call this "creating a culture of safety," and it's at the heart of the National Patient Safety Foundation.

As physicians, we have an absolute obligation to inform patients when they have been harmed and not helped, even when that harm is not solely our responsibility. The AMA's Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs makes it clear that as physicians, we have an ethical obligation to tell our patients when a significant error has occurred. That way, the patient can seek remedial care if needed. And can truly give informed consent to those remedies.

For those of you who might think that's a risky proposition, remember this: Research has shown that patients are less likely to sue physicians who tell them honestly that they have made a mistake. In fact, telling the truth and admitting error may even prevent lawsuits in some cases.

The story is told about the lawyer who was misdiagnosed for a liver condition. His doctor discovered the error and confessed, told his patient that he had pursued the wrong course of testing and, as a result, treatment for the condition would be delayed. [...]