After an adverse event, open disclosure with the patient is recommended. What should this involve?

After an adverse event, open disclosure with the patient is recommended. What should this involve?

• A. Decline to discuss specifics to avoid distress and focus on care plan.
• B. Open disclosure: apologise, explain what happened, discuss corrective actions, support, and document.
• C. Place blame on the system and avoid discussing the incident with the patient.
• D. Delay disclosure until after a formal incident review is complete.

Answer: (B)

Open disclosure after an adverse event focuses on communicating honestly, empathetically, and with accountability to the patient. The best approach includes a sincere apology, a clear explanation of what happened, discussion of steps to prevent recurrence, support for the patient, and thorough documentation of the conversation and the event. This approach respects the patient’s right to know, helps maintain trust, supports patient safety, and aligns with professional practice. Declining to discuss specifics undermines transparency and trust; blaming the system and avoiding discussion misses the patient’s need for truth and accountability; delaying disclosure until after a formal review delays support and information the patient deserves.

Open disclosure after an adverse event focuses on communicating honestly, empathetically, and with accountability to the patient. The best approach includes a sincere apology, a clear explanation of what happened, discussion of steps to prevent recurrence, support for the patient, and thorough documentation of the conversation and the event. This approach respects the patient’s right to know, helps maintain trust, supports patient safety, and aligns with professional practice.

Declining to discuss specifics undermines transparency and trust; blaming the system and avoiding discussion misses the patient’s need for truth and accountability; delaying disclosure until after a formal review delays support and information the patient deserves.