The Sorry Works! Coalition: making the case for full disclosure

Area of Science:

• Medical Liability
• Patient Safety
• Healthcare Policy

Background:

• The Sorry Works! Coalition advocates for full disclosure and apologies following medical errors as a solution to the medical liability crisis.
• The protocol is based on a disclosure program from the Department of Veterans Affairs Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky.

Purpose of the Study:

• Educate stakeholders on medical liability.
• Organize the full-disclosure movement.
• Advocate for legislative incentives and pilot programs for disclosure.

Main Methods:

• Root cause analysis to identify deviations from the standard of care.
• Disclosure of medical errors to patients and families.
• Admission of fault, explanation of events, and commitment to preventing recurrence.
• Offer of compensation to affected parties.

Main Results:

• The initiative aims to overcome cultural and legal barriers to full disclosure in healthcare.
• Addressing emotional and reactive responses within medical, insurance, and legal communities is crucial.
• Significant cultural changes are needed within the medical profession.

Conclusions:

• Sorry Works! necessitates a transformation in the culture of medicine.
• Medical risk management practices require adaptation.
• Associated insurance and legal support structures must evolve to support full disclosure.