Document Detail


Reducing the malpractice threat through patient communications.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  10287184     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The majority of malpractice claims do not result from fatalities or even severe disabilities, but occur because the patient is angered when his or her often exaggerated expectations are not met. Three out of four of these claims arise primarily from a breakdown in patient communications. Understanding four major types of communication breakdowns can help administrators formulate more effective loss prevention programs. Administrators need to remedy problems such as inadequate discharge instructions, lack of informed consent, lack of courtesy and respect, and inadequate handling of angry patients. Administrators would do well to assess their institution's patient communications. To gain the patient's perspective--to experience the hospital as if he or she were stretched out helpless on a gurney--an outside specialist should conduct a "gurney survey," looking at the communication skills in the departments and activities most crucial for communications. An institution-wide patient education program needs to be led by one coordinator, to involve all departments, to be adequately funded, and to have an identifiable quality assurance component.
Authors:
E E Bartlett
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Health progress (Saint Louis, Mo.)     Volume:  69     ISSN:  0882-1577     ISO Abbreviation:  Health Prog     Publication Date:  1988 May 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1988-06-23     Completed Date:  1988-06-23     Revised Date:  2004-11-17    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8500263     Medline TA:  Health Prog     Country:  UNITED STATES    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  63-6     Citation Subset:  H    
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Child
Child, Preschool
Communication*
Hospital Administration / standards*
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Informed Consent / legislation & jurisprudence
Male
Malpractice / legislation & jurisprudence*
Professional-Patient Relations*
Quality Assurance, Health Care
United States

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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