Authors: Wojcieszak, Doug; Banja, John; Houk, Carole

Source: Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, Volume 32, Number 6, June 2006 , pp. 344-350(7)

Publisher: Joint Commission Resources

Abstract:

Background: The Sorry Works! Coalition, an organization of doctors, lawyers, insurers, and patient advocates, is dedicated to promoting full disclosure and apologies for medical errors as a "middle-ground solution" in the medical liability crisis. If a standard of care was not met (as shown by a root cause analysis) in a bad outcome or adverse event, the providers (and their insurer) should apologize to the patient/family, admit fault, provide an explanation of what happened and how the hospital will ensure that the error is not repeated, and offer compensation. The Sorry Works! protocol is based on the disclosure program developed at the Department of Veterans Affairs Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky.

Goals: The coalition's goals are to (1) educate all stakeholders in the medical liability debate, (2) serve as an organizing force for the full-disclosure movement, and (3) advocate for legislative incentives, including pilot programs.

Overcoming Cultural and Legal Obstacles: In large part, the coalition's educational efforts are intended to overcome cultural and legal barriers to full disclosure, which often represent emotional, knee-jerk responses within the medical, insurance, and legal communities. Perhaps the greatest hurdle of all is the culture of the medical profession; considerable changes are needed if doctors are to enjoy the benefits of Sorry Works! and other full-disclosure programs.

Conclusion: Sorry Works! entails changing the culture of medicine, medical risk management, and the associated insurance and legal support structure.

Document Type: Miscellaneous

Publication date: 2006-06-01

More about this publication?

• Published monthly, The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety is a peer-reviewed publication dedicated to providing health professionals with the information they need to promote the quality and safety of health care. The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety invites original manuscripts on the development, adaptation, and/or implementation of innovative thinking, strategies, and practices in improving quality and safety in health care. Case studies, program or project reports, reports of new methodologies or new applications of methodologies, research studies on the effectiveness of improvement interventions, and commentaries on issues and practices are all considered.
  
  Also known as Joint Commission Journal on Quality Improvement and Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Safety
• Editorial Board
• Information for Authors
• Subscribe to this Title
• Information for Advertisers
• Reprints and Permissions
• Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety - Author Index
• ingentaconnect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Medicine ,  Public Health
• By this author: Wojcieszak, Doug ;  Banja, John ;  Houk, Carole

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers