In knee arthroscopy, the registrar makes the initial cut on the wrong knee; after realization, what do you do?

In knee arthroscopy, the registrar makes the initial cut on the wrong knee; after realization, what do you do?

• A. Open disclosure policy with patient - the patient should be informed about what's happened
• B. Reportable incident according to govt standards
• C. Discuss with registrar about need for reporting
• D. Inform staff about incident to ensure follow up and for patient's safety

Answer: (A)

Open disclosure with the patient is the essential first step after a medical error. When a registrar makes the initial cut on the wrong knee, your immediate priority is honest communication: clearly explain what happened, acknowledge the mistake, apologize, and outline what will be done to address any harm and prevent recurrence. This respects patient autonomy, builds trust, and allows the patient to participate in decisions about their ongoing care. After discussing with the patient, you would typically document the incident and follow your institution’s procedures for incident reporting as required by local standards. You’d also coordinate with the team to ensure appropriate follow-up and patient safety. The key is to be transparent with the patient first, while completing the necessary organizational steps afterward.

Open disclosure with the patient is the essential first step after a medical error. When a registrar makes the initial cut on the wrong knee, your immediate priority is honest communication: clearly explain what happened, acknowledge the mistake, apologize, and outline what will be done to address any harm and prevent recurrence. This respects patient autonomy, builds trust, and allows the patient to participate in decisions about their ongoing care.

After discussing with the patient, you would typically document the incident and follow your institution’s procedures for incident reporting as required by local standards. You’d also coordinate with the team to ensure appropriate follow-up and patient safety. The key is to be transparent with the patient first, while completing the necessary organizational steps afterward.