Marseille Experience: Still more to learn

Day 1 of AELPS2018: Wonderful, honest, and compassionate discussions today about open communications, premature conclusions, and diagnostic error. I greatly appreciated the personal stories that were shared and the focus on improving communication across a healthcare team, including the patient and family members.

One area that struck me today was a case study about a missing sponge in the operating room and two different scenarios depending upon whether the team continued to look for the item, or if members of the team were unable to speak up and advocate for the patient. Although I agree that this is an area of great concern and focus, it seemed like the conclusion was to change the ability to communicate, but ultimately neither option appeared correct. Yes, overriding protocol and leaving the operating room with an incorrect count is not the best answer, holding the case and leaving the patient in the operating… Continue reading →