MALPRACTICE MANUAL 3 the doctor’s negligence cause the injuries, the plaintiff will most likely be awarded money (“FindLaw”, 2008). Adverse Events Analyze the process available after adverse medical events in health care. – Sarah Adverse medical events occur in health care significantly more often than we would like. As health care providers, it is our responsibility to resolve the problems that arise from these situations as quickly as possible. Up to 40% of patients may be discharged with pending test results, diagnostic workups not complete and discontinuity between inpatient and outpatient providers including lack of follow up ( psnet.org ). With the significant amount of errors occurring, a variety of policy initiatives have been implemented to encourage hospitals and care facilities to address adverse event and readmissions after discharge. Clark (2009) reminds us that doctors have a responsibility to be the stewards of the health care system as they are dedicated to providing competent medical care, “with compassion and respect for human dignity and rights (p.2).” When an event happens that reflects poorly on the physician, hospital and negatively impacts the patient there immediately begins the involvement of several groups of people. These people include, but are not limited to, the human resource department, risk management, lawyers, family members of the patient and other stakeholders. The most crucial point to remember is that dialogue provides the greatest opportunity to bring together all of these people. Clark (2009) confirms that dialogue allows to, “work through misunderstandings and misconceptions, and to develop trust, such that teamwork across professions is workable…and affords us the opportunity to reach out and engage each other across our misunderstandings and differences.” This dialogue includes full disclosure of the events that took place, works through a cause and effect as well as the preventative measures

MALPRACTICE MANUAL 4 being put in place to avoid the situation from reoccurring. The full disclosure allows knowledgeable and trained professionals, “including physicians, attorneys, insurers and other