IntArguments While a mandatory reporting system is currently implemented in twenty-seven states, it is essential that this is expanded to all fifty states of the United States as a nationwide collaboration between health organizations (Hanlon et al., 2015). Patients have a right to be informed of all information concerning their health such as medications administered, names of those involved, possible outcomes and risks as well as procedure details including any errors, whether intentional or not. Patients have a right to autonomy, the ability to make decisions without external factors and limitations, including lack of knowledge, that would otherwise prevent them from making the most informed choice (Bennett-Woods, 2012). By being completely
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A survey of faculty and resident physicians throughout the United States found that .84% agree that reporting medical errors will ultimately improve the future quality of care for patients (Kaldjian et al., 2008). However, in the same survey, only 18% have admitted to reporting a minor medical error (resulting in prolonged treatment or temporary discomfort) and 4% to a major error (resulting in permanent disability or death), roughly half have stated they did not know how to report an error as their reason (Kaldjian et al., 2008). Due to the very low error reporting rate, it would be necessary to establish a mandatory system that would allow collaboration between healthcare organizations in order to establish a consistent, easy to use reporting system to increase awareness between …show more content…
Such an utilitarian approach will aid all hospitals in educating staff and physicians on how to report and classify errors, as well as how to prevent common errors in the future. While twenty-seven states currently require mandatory reporting of errors, the Joint Commission has continuously encouraged healthcare organizations to disclose errors that result in severe risks for the patient (Devers et al., 2004). In other words, there is a growing trend towards more transparency between the physician and patient when admitting medical errors and in the future, we should foster an environment that promotes open communication with those we may have unintentionally harmed so that appropriate steps can be taken to remedy the situation in an ethical and safe
A survey of faculty and resident physicians throughout the United States found that .84% agree that reporting medical errors will ultimately improve the future quality of care for patients (Kaldjian et al., 2008). However, in the same survey, only 18% have admitted to reporting a minor medical error (resulting in prolonged treatment or temporary discomfort) and 4% to a major error (resulting in permanent disability or death), roughly half have stated they did not know how to report an error as their reason (Kaldjian et al., 2008). Due to the very low error reporting rate, it would be necessary to establish a mandatory system that would allow collaboration between healthcare organizations in order to establish a consistent, easy to use reporting system to increase awareness between …show more content…
Such an utilitarian approach will aid all hospitals in educating staff and physicians on how to report and classify errors, as well as how to prevent common errors in the future. While twenty-seven states currently require mandatory reporting of errors, the Joint Commission has continuously encouraged healthcare organizations to disclose errors that result in severe risks for the patient (Devers et al., 2004). In other words, there is a growing trend towards more transparency between the physician and patient when admitting medical errors and in the future, we should foster an environment that promotes open communication with those we may have unintentionally harmed so that appropriate steps can be taken to remedy the situation in an ethical and safe