In today’s lessons, we discussed the value of initiatives like CANDOR in attempting to not only provide closure and apologies for medical error, but also in ensuring a closed-loop feedback mechanism takes place to allow for process improvements and self-care that will ensure future mistakes of the same kind will not be made. We discussed how simple things such as not billing patients when medical errors occur are often looked over or left to the wayside and how powerful honesty, transparency, and accountability can be in removing some of the antagonism between healthcare providers and patients families after a medical error has occurred.

A line from aviation that has been repeated and has really stuck out to me has been that “we don’t compete in safety”. While healthcare providers seek to take care of their patients and healthcare systems might compete for business, its important to recognize that when everyone… Continue reading →

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here at the conference so far and have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by an incredible group of healthcare providers that each bring their own story and perspective to our discussions. From the residents to the nurses, I have been able to see how each professional approaches problems in patient safety and care, all the while maintaining the goal of patient-centered care. As a rising second-year medical student, I haven’t found myself on the wards quite as much as I am eager to yet and so it has been a little difficult imagining in what capacity I can be the most effective influencer of change in the field of safety and quality. I’ve learned from our vivid and open discussions that anyone and everyone from hospitality staff to the chief medical officer can be a force for change and that healthcare systems work… Continue reading →