To err is human. Unfortunately, in our medical system, we expect that physicians are superhuman and therefore choose not to build the support and error reduction measures that would allow mere humans to competently practice high quality health care.
Having not built the systems to reduce errors, our hospitals and medico-legal system have decided that in addition, denying that errors happen is the best way to make them go away. In stark contrast to the principles of six-sigma, lean manufacuring, and other systems to reduce errors, the
medical system decided that it would instead announce the superhuman perfection of its approaches and allow those who thought otherwise to take them to court.
Per a recent article in the NYTimes:
For decades, malpractice lawyers and insurers have counseled doctors and hospitals to “deny and defend.” Many still warn clients that any admission of fault, or even expression of regret, is likely to invite litigation and imperil careers.
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Posted by Vijay Goel, M.D. |
Categories: Uncategorized | Tagged: communication, health reform, medical errors | 
