Abstract
One of the most challenging situations for surgeons occurs when one of our patients suffer an unanticipated outcome. Planning for these events is of the utmost importance in order to adequately meet the needs of the patients, families, and providers involved. Elements of that process should encompass recognition and appropriate reporting of the event and/or error, participating in the disclosure process, analysis of the event to determine error type, institution of measures to prevent recurrence, and consideration of care measures to be initiated in a proactive manner for the providers involved in the event. Key features of each process are discussed in the context of an actual case history, with emphasis on the need to have processes put into place on an institutional level so that each component is identified and addressed, with focus on the values of transparency, professionalism, and compassion for all involved.
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Varnell, J.L. (2014). Management of Unanticipated Outcomes: A Case Scenario. In: Stahel, P., Mauffrey, C. (eds) Patient Safety in Surgery. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4369-7_32
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4369-7_32
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