Improving Communication and Resolution Following Adverse Events Using a Patient-Created Simulation Exercise.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare quality improvement
• Patient safety
• Patient experience research

Background:

• Adverse event responses often lack patient-centeredness due to stakeholder misunderstanding of patient and family experiences.
• Healthcare breakdowns can lead to significant patient and family distress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of a patient and family advisory council-led simulation in improving stakeholder understanding of adverse event experiences.
• To identify key learnings from developing and conducting such a simulation.

Main Methods:

• A five-stage simulation exercise was designed and led by the HealthPact Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC).
• The simulation was presented twice to stakeholders in Washington and Texas.
• Lessons learned were synthesized from planning notes, attendee evaluations, and discussion notes.

Main Results:

• 194 individuals attended the simulation exercises.
• Key findings indicated that adverse event responses are often complex, siloed, and uncoordinated.
• Participants expressed increased interest in collaboration between stakeholders and patient advocates.

Conclusions:

• Simulations designed by PFACs can effectively enhance stakeholder comprehension of patient and family experiences post-adverse events.
• This improved understanding has the potential to foster more patient-centered responses to adverse events.