TY - JOUR
T1 - How different countries respond to adverse events whilst patients’ rights are protected
AU - Gil-Hernández, Eva
AU - Carrillo, Irene
AU - Tumelty, Mary Elizabeth
AU - Srulovici, Einav
AU - Vanhaecht, Kris
AU - Wallis, Katharine Ann
AU - Giraldo, Priscila
AU - Astier-Peña, María Pilar
AU - Panella, Massimiliano
AU - Guerra-Paiva, Sofia
AU - Buttigieg, Sandra
AU - Seys, Deborah
AU - Strametz, Reinhard
AU - Mora, Asier Urruela
AU - Mira, José Joaquín
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2023.
PY - 2024/4
Y1 - 2024/4
N2 - Patient safety is high on the policy agenda internationally. Learning from safety incidents is a core component in achieving the important goal of increasing patient safety. This study explores the legal frameworks in the countries to promote reporting, disclosure, and supporting healthcare professionals (HCPs) involved in safety incidents. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted to ascertain an overview of the legal frameworks at national level, as well as relevant policies. ERNST (The European Researchers’ Network Working on Second Victims) group peer-reviewed data collected from countries was performed to validate information. Information from 27 countries was collected and analyzed, giving a response rate of 60%. A reporting system for patient safety incidents was in place in 85.2% (N = 23) of countries surveyed, though few (37%, N = 10) were focused on systems-learning. In about half of the countries (48.1%, N = 13) open disclosure depends on the initiative of HCPs. The tort liability system was common in most countries. No-fault compensation schemes and alternative forms of redress were less common. Support for HCPs involved in patient safety incidents was extremely limited, with just 11.1% (N = 3) of participating countries reporting that supports were available in all healthcare institutions. Despite progress in the patient safety movement worldwide, the findings suggest that there are considerable differences in the approach to the reporting and disclosure of patient safety incidents. Additionally, models of compensation vary limiting patients’ access to redress. Finally, the results highlight the need for comprehensive support for HCPs involved in safety incidents.
AB - Patient safety is high on the policy agenda internationally. Learning from safety incidents is a core component in achieving the important goal of increasing patient safety. This study explores the legal frameworks in the countries to promote reporting, disclosure, and supporting healthcare professionals (HCPs) involved in safety incidents. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted to ascertain an overview of the legal frameworks at national level, as well as relevant policies. ERNST (The European Researchers’ Network Working on Second Victims) group peer-reviewed data collected from countries was performed to validate information. Information from 27 countries was collected and analyzed, giving a response rate of 60%. A reporting system for patient safety incidents was in place in 85.2% (N = 23) of countries surveyed, though few (37%, N = 10) were focused on systems-learning. In about half of the countries (48.1%, N = 13) open disclosure depends on the initiative of HCPs. The tort liability system was common in most countries. No-fault compensation schemes and alternative forms of redress were less common. Support for HCPs involved in patient safety incidents was extremely limited, with just 11.1% (N = 3) of participating countries reporting that supports were available in all healthcare institutions. Despite progress in the patient safety movement worldwide, the findings suggest that there are considerable differences in the approach to the reporting and disclosure of patient safety incidents. Additionally, models of compensation vary limiting patients’ access to redress. Finally, the results highlight the need for comprehensive support for HCPs involved in safety incidents.
KW - Quality of care
KW - compensation
KW - disclosure
KW - healthcare professionals
KW - legal frameworks
KW - patient safety
KW - second victims
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85163362812&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/00258024231182369
DO - 10.1177/00258024231182369
M3 - Article
C2 - 37365924
AN - SCOPUS:85163362812
SN - 0025-8024
VL - 64
SP - 96
EP - 112
JO - Medicine, Science and the Law
JF - Medicine, Science and the Law
IS - 2
ER -