Medical Error

When healthcare providers tell patients about medical errors that happened under their care, the patient is twice as likely to recommend that provider to someone else than if they had not been told about the mistake. However, the disclosure does not seem to have an effect either way with regard to the filing of lawsuits, according to a study published in the journal Medical Care.

The Joint Commission recently emphasized the need for more involvement from healthcare administrators, executives and trustees in preventing medical errors. It also recommended using successful methods from other industries to improve quality in healthcare.