To err is human--to air is humane: disclosing adverse events to patients.

摘要

The year is 2000; a new century and a new study, To Err is Human from the Institute of Medicine, reveals an alarming number of deaths of hospital patients are attributable to medical errors (1). Next develops the patient safety movement. States begin to address patient safety and medical error. Hospitals develop requirements to inform patients about lapses hi quality and unanticipated outcomes due to medical errors (2). Two years later, in March 2002, Pennsylvania becomes the first state to require mandatory patient and/or family notification of a "serious event" with the approval of Act 13. Further this notification/disclosure must occur within seven days of the event (3).