Reasons for medical professional nondisclosure There is a fear of confession, which could be appropriate concerning the shame and blame that persists within the healthcare system. The withholding of information could exacerbate the patients’ upset emotions. The medical professional must always keep in mind that the patient has rights as well as responsibilities when it comes to their healthcare (Edwin, 2009). A medical professional is also affected by a medical error. It may be difficult facing the fact that they are responsible for causing harm. This is totally opposite from the oath the medical professional took to do no harm. Another reason for a medical professional to seek nondisclosure in the event of a medical error is the fear of retaliation from the patient. If that is the case, perhaps it may be advantageous to take a look down the road at the consequences when the medical error is uncovered. The patient’s fury would be greater and rightly so, because they were not only harmed but then lied to by omission. A medical professional may very well fear the length and breadth of negative media bias. This is a real-life fear because if the media hears of it, the medical professional will be maligned, which really is not fair either. However, the media bias will be greater and last longer if the medical error is concealed and then it comes out later. It is obvious that to disclose is the better choice in the long run. The patient will be more tolerant of the adverse appointment with Dr. Richards, a chiropractor, after Lucinda had continued to have low back discomfort following the birth of their daughter. Dr. Richards did a subjective history, took x-rays, and performed a manual examination. Then he called Lucinda and her husband into his office. He informed Lucinda of the problems that she had in her lower back and recommended a plan of care. The plan of care extended over a 6-month period of time consisting of heat therapy and manipulation along with repeated x-rays. By the second month, office visits were required every other day. Lucinda did not have health insurance and could not cover the $10,000 medical bill. Lucinda attempted to negotiate a payment plan with Dr. Richards, but the doctor was unwilling to work with her. He advised Lucinda that treatment could not continue until payment was received. Case studies 1. Lucinda and her husband were at an initial
medical event if the medical professional uses it as a time to create a dialog they are not scared to have. Reasons for medical professional disclosure There are many things that the medical professional must consider in the aftermath of a medical error. It may seem that they have many options, but one thing is for sure: Disclosure is the right option. More than likely there will be legal consequences, so the medical professional must take this as a hard, cold fact. The legal consequences will be a consideration when disclosing to the patient that a medical error has occurred. This will take moral courage and integrity, but more than likely the legal consequences will be less if the disclosure is front and center. The economic impact on the medical professional may be profound. But what must also be considered is the economic impact on the patient and their family. Medical errors are costly in every way, shape, and form for all concerned. This can be remembered when going over a therapy plan, a surgery option, or a medication routine to review: Double check and do all things possible to avoid any error. Lastly, the medical professional must not forget that while serious, recovery from a medical error is possible. It is important for to seek help and guidance in the wake of a medical error and to utilize the techniques offered in this course to reduce or eliminate future errors. 2. Sue is an occupational therapist at Gulf Coast Therapy Associates located in Bates County, Missouri. She has just completed an intake on Frank Simons for therapy after a work-related accident at Exxon Mobil Refinery. The Bates County public health agency receives information that a person infected with a contagious bacterium by the name of Frank Simons is being treated at Sue’s facility. On the one hand, Sue and the facility have a duty to respect Frank’s right to confidentiality and freedom of movement. However, the occupational therapist and Gulf Coast Therapy Associates have a greater duty to prevent the spread of the bacterium to other people. In the utilitarianism approach to ethics this is known as “doing the greatest good for the largest number of people.” Thus, more good would be achieved by protecting the public health of all the other patients treated at Gulf Coast Therapy Associates. This can be accomplished only by breaching Frank Simon’s confidentiality and his freedom of movement.
MEDICAL ERRORS PREVENTION
to prevention will begin to open. Errors do need to be reported so that they can be analyzed if improvements to the health care system are to be achieved. But for long-term prevention, solutions must be at the core of all reviews. Another tactic that can be utilized in the medical error prevention scheme is that of a partnership. A partnership needs to be developed between the patient and medical professional to jointly engage in ensuring that the appropriate care is provided in the following manner: ● At the right place. ● At the right time. ● To the correct person. ● In the safest and most efficient manner possible.
In 1999, the public took notice of an article released by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) entitled, To Err Is Human: Building a Safer Health System . The report stated that between 44,000 and 98,000 deaths may result each year from medical errors in hospitals alone while more than 7,000 deaths annually are related to medications (Kohn et al., 2000). In response to the IOM's report, all parts of the U.S. health system implemented reduction strategies into high gear by re-evaluating and strengthening checks and balances to prevent errors. Many in the healthcare arena feel that the primary focus of research in medical errors should be prevention strategies. It is not so important to discover the error as it is to find a method to prevent it. When the focus is the problem, errors will continue. When the focus is solutions, the door
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