Let’s look at HIPAA and patient communication
A fundamental tenet of patient safety is patient communication – talking with and listening to patients. Once healthcare professionals engage patients and families in dialogue and share information, it is simpler to understand patient values and preferences, then arrive at decisions jointly.
This shared communication result in a consensus that can be thought of as a “shared mind” between patients and providers, with subsequent engagement improving patient outcomes and quality of life (Epstein et al., Why the nation needs a policy push on patient-centered health care).
When something does go wrong, health care professionals should have honest communication with patients and families. However, organizations may not know all the contributing and causative factors immediately after the adverse event occurs.
Organizations should pledge to communicate with patients and keep families updated regularly as more information becomes available and facts become known. Many professional associations view disclosure as fundamental to ethical care.
The Joint Commission necessitates disclosure of sentinel events as part of accreditation requirements.
The Rights and Responsibilities of the Individual (RI) Standard RI.01.02.01, an element of performance (EP) 21, requires an accredited organization to inform patients or surrogate decision-makers about unanticipated outcomes of care, treatment, and services that relate to sentinel events (as defined by The Joint Commission).
EP 22 of that standard specifies that the licensed independent practitioner responsible for managing the patient’s care, treatment and services (or his or her designee) must inform the patient about unanticipated outcomes of care, treatment, and services that relate to sentinel events when the patient is not already aware of the occurrence, or when further discussion is needed.
Was there open communication with your client? Did the facility disclose, investigate, and resolving instances when errors occurred in your client’s care? Do you think something is missing? Do you suspect tampering? Our legal nurse consultants will review all pertinent information and help you discover the truth.
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