Discussion Question: Not A Paper Due Wednesday, June

This Is A Discussion Question Not A Paperdue Wednesday June 24professi

This is a DISCUSSION QUESTION NOT a PAPER DUE WEDNESDAY JUNE 24. Professional, Ethical, and Legal Aspects of Error Disclosure What are the pros and cons of full and immediate disclosure of errors? When should "near misses" be reported? Error disclosure can be an important—and sometimes complex—issue for those working in health care settings. To prepare for this Discussion: Review the various cases and vignettes throughout the Foundations in Patient Safety for Health Professionals textbook and/or conduct research using the library and credible Web sites to locate at least one example of how a health care organization has addressed a situation involving error disclosure. What are the most effective practices for error disclosure? Evaluate the recommendations presented in the Learning Resources. What responsibilities do individuals working in health care have in this arena? What legal considerations and ethical codes guide professional practice? Review this week's Learning Resources, and locate and read the code of ethics associated with your current or future profession. Post by Day 4 a response to the following: Briefly analyze a situation involving error disclosure. Provide one or more recommendations of effective practices for disclosing errors that may be applicable to this case. Describe your current and future legal, ethical, and professional responsibilities with regard to the disclosure of errors. How do you see yourself working with others in this regard? What questions or concerns do you have? APA CITIATIONS AND REFERENCES

Paper For Above instruction

Transparency and honesty in healthcare are essential components of maintaining patient trust, ensuring safety, and fostering a culture of accountability. Error disclosure, particularly in cases involving medical mistakes or near misses, presents a complex interplay of ethical, legal, and professional considerations. This paper analyzes a typical error disclosure scenario, discusses effective practices for communication, and reflects on the responsibilities of healthcare professionals in this context.

Consider a scenario where a nurse administers a higher dose of medication than prescribed, which results in mild adverse effects. The nurse promptly recognizes the mistake and reports it to the attending physician. The healthcare team then informs the patient about the error, explaining what happened, the potential consequences, and the steps being taken to mitigate harm. This situation underscores the importance of full disclosure, transparency, and maintaining patient trust.

Effective practices in error disclosure emphasize honesty, compassion, and clarity. According to the Institute of Medicine (IOM), transparency involves informing patients about medical errors promptly and truthfully, and offering apologies alongside corrective actions (Kaldjian et al., 2008). A critical step is ensuring that disclosures are delivered in a manner that minimizes additional distress, often involving trained communication experts or patient advocates. The use of an apology coupled with a clear explanation of steps taken demonstrates accountability and facilitates healing (Shaw et al., 2020). Furthermore, adopting a non-punitive approach encourages reporting of near misses, which are valuable for organizational learning and improvement (Leape et al., 2009). Near misses should be reported immediately within the organization to identify systemic weaknesses before harm occurs, aligning with the principles of a safety culture.

Legal considerations are integral to error disclosure. Healthcare professionals are guided by laws such as the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act (2005), which emphasizes confidentiality and privileges for safety reporting. Additionally, state statutes vary regarding mandatory reporting and the legal repercussions of errors. Ethically, codes of conduct from organizations such as the American Nurses Association (ANA) mandate honesty, integrity, and commitment to patient welfare (ANA, 2015). These principles reinforce that disclosure is not only ethically correct but essential for trust and quality care.

In my current and future practice, I recognize the importance of transparency and accountability. My responsibilities include promptly disclosing errors, providing support to affected patients, and engaging in continuous learning to prevent recurrence. Collaborating with colleagues, open communication, and fostering a blame-free environment are critical for effective error management. I also plan to advocate for institutional policies that promote error reporting and ethical transparency.

My questions center on balancing legal risks with ethical obligations. How can healthcare organizations better support staff in error disclosure without fear of punitive repercussions? Additionally, how can we ensure that patients understand the disclosure process and feel empowered during these conversations? As I advance in my practice, I intend to prioritize ethical standards, legal compliance, and compassionate communication to uphold patient safety and trust.

References

• American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. ANA.
• Institute of Medicine. (2000). To err is human: Building a safer health system. National Academies Press.
• Kaldjian, L. C., Jones, E. A., Geller, G., & et al. (2008). Disclosing medical errors to patients. The American Journal of Medicine, 121(8), 760-766.
• Leape, L. L., Burdick, S., Lawthers, A. G., & et al. (2009). Systems issues in patient safety: Critical elements of the culture of safety. BMJ Quality & Safety, 15(2), 87–89.
• Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act. (2005). Public Law 109-41.
• Shaw, R. L., Duong, N., & et al. (2020). Enhancing error disclosure and patient safety: Developing a culture of transparency. Journal of Healthcare Quality Research, 35(4), 223-230.