ABSTRACT
Obstetrics is a medical specialty with high profesional liability exposure. Every aspect of an adverse OB outcome has become an opportunity for a legal review. Common root causes in adverse outcomes include communication failure, poor teamwork, and system failures. Indeed, poor communication is a significant factor in OB-related malpractice claims. This excerpt from the booklet Risk Management Pearls for Obstetrics highlights those causes (particularly poor communications) and provides strategies to address them.
Subject(s)
Communication , Liability, Legal , Obstetrics/legislation & jurisprudence , Risk Management , Female , Humans , Patient Care Team/organization & administration , Patient Safety , Pregnancy , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
The focus on medical error prevention has prompted forward-thinking healthcare providers to increasingly support an organizational culture that supports and promotes patient safety. A culture of safety is necessary before other patient safety practices can be introduced successfully. Various elements of a culture of safety are discussed. Some organizations have implemented survey tools to assess their safety culture. Assessing an organization's culture of safety is just the beginning. Setting priorities for action and identifying strategies to improve healthcare safety must follow with support of the organization's leaders and frontline staff. Recommendations for action are provided.
