Patients’ needs

More than representing just numbers and statistics, adverse events in healthcare have significant physical and psychological impact on patients, and the consequences could affect their work, social relationships, and families. 

Patients have first-hand experience of harm and have needs that must be addressed. In this case we know what they need:

• Medical and psychological care for recovery.
• To know what has happened and what can happen from now on.
• Know what measures are being taken to ensure that it does not happen again.
• Receive an apology.

These measures could contribute to the recovery in short and long term. 

Today it is consensual that to communicate openly with patients is an ethical duty, which lead us to the concept of open disclosure.