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August 6th, 2007 NEWSLETTER
Doug Wojcieszak, Founder & Spokesperson
Contact phone/e-mail address: 618-559-8168; doug@sorryworks.net
THIS WEEK'S EDITION:
- ASHRM Audio Conference - sign up now!
- Focus on Lee Taft, ethicist and former med-mal plaintiff's attorney
- Another new Sorry Works! speaking engagement
ASHRM AUDIO CONFERENCE - SIGN UP NOW!
Our friends at ASHRM are hosting an audio conference on August 14, 2007 entitled, "Understanding and Implementing the 2008 Patient Safety Goals." The conference features Dr. Peter Angood of JCAHO and Randy Mapes, RN, MSA, Director of Accreditation for the University of North Carolina. The conference is intended for risk, claims, and quality managers as well as clinicians, patient safety officers, accreditation and compliance professionals, attorneys and insurance professionals. The conference will identify key changes to the 2008 JCAHO National Patient Safety Goals, explain what must be done to the "replaced" goals, provide a process for implenting the new goals, as well as provide insight into risk management strategies that promote the goals.
For registration information, visit the ASHRM website at www.ashrm.org (Education, Audio Conferences) or call 800-775-7654.
FOCUS ON LEE TAFT, ETHICIST AND FORMER MED-MAL PLAINTIFF'S ATTORNEY
On Wednesday, September 5th Sorry Works! will be teaming up with RM&PSI to offer an audio conference featuring Mr. Lee Taft. This week we provide a glimpse into that audio conference with this exclusive interview of Mr. Taft. We hope you find this Q&A session informative and enjoyable.
To register for the audio conference, call Melanie Gober of RM&PSI at 517-886-8226, e-mail mgober@rmpsi.com or visit this link: http://www.sorryworks.net/conference2.phtml .
SORRY WORKS! For many years you were a successful plaintiff's attorney representing patients and families who experienced medical errors. Tell us briefly about the type of work you are doing now with physicians, hospitals, and insurance companies.
Lee Taft: My work with hospitals and physicians extends from the board room to the floor. I believe culture change requires leadership commitment. When I design a disclosure program, I start by educating leaders-physician leaders, CEOs, CMOs, CNOs, and their boards to ensure that disclosure has the philosophical and financial support essential for success. After I learn about the institution's culture, I design a disclosure master plan that includes drafting best practice disclosure policies and procedures. Throughout this process, I work closely with patient safety, quality, and risk management leaders in preparing the system to support the new disclosure culture, implementing the master plan, and designing the educational and training programs providers need. Finally, in the immediate aftermath of an event I offer just-in-time consulting/support for the medical team, and work with the legal team so that disclosure is a central component of their litigation strategy.
My experience suggests that, when it comes to transparency, many insurance companies are not as far along as are the institutions and physicians they insure. For example, one company granted a premium credit to physicians attending one of my weekend seminars yet stopped responding to my emails after I raised a concern about a potential conflict between disclosure and the insurance agreement. Of course, other carriers implemented disclosure-like policies years ago. I'll speak more about insurance issues and tensions in September.
SORRY WORKS!: What event or series of events led you to this work?
Lee Taft: After Yale published my essay on apology, I was invited to lecture in many different venues, including providing ethics grand rounds. After presenting at a large pediatric facility, the physicians told me they wanted to apologize but felt blocked by their peers, risk managers, and lawyers. That led me to write another essay specifically on apology and disclosure. In researching this essay, I learned that in the wake of error physicians are at much higher risk for suicide, addiction, and burnout; they are also at a much higher risk to make another error. I wrote to show a way out of the dilemma those doctors described. This led me into the work I do now: work that enhances patient safety and heals.
SORRY WORKS!: What is the biggest stumbling block you face trying to implement disclosure programs?
Lee Taft: The biggest stumbling block I face is the disconnection between theory and practice. Almost everyone agrees with the theory of disclosure: A patient should be told of all matters affecting the patient's care. That's why so many hospitals now have disclosure policies in place. Yet, when it comes to actually disclosing an unanticipated outcome, it's not happening. We'll talk about why that is and how to effect change in September.
SORRY WORKS!: Do you spend a lot of time working with defense lawyers as well as risk mangers? If so, give us a glimpse into this work.
Lee Taft: I spend more time working with in-house counsel than with outside defense counsel. I have found that in-house counsel are much more knowledgeable and receptive to the disclosure movement then are outside counsel. We'll talk about this and its significance in September.
SORRY WORKS!: Tell us briefly about your biggest success story with disclosure.
Lee Taft: Disclosure success stories are never mine, they are always a testament to the commitment of the hospital in which they occur and the courage and integrity of the physicians who risk disclosure. One such success involved a disclosure after the death of an infant because of a medication error, an error that was clearly preventable. Within 24 hours the hospital communicated to the child's family how the error occurred. The family was immediately accommodated in a variety of ways such as grief counseling and transportation expenses so that out-of-town family members were able to attend the funeral. Later, financial compensation was also provided, yet, the family remained anguished by the thought that this short life would be forgotten. In response, the hospital named a room after this child. This is what makes the story so successful to me: The hospital listened to the family and responded creatively and compassionately to the family's deepest need. The family felt respected, heard, and valued. The hospital also changed critical polices and procedures so that another child would not be similarly harmed. And this saves lives.
ANOTHER SORRY WORKS! SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT
The New York City Health & Hospitals Corporation invited Sorry Works! spokesperson Doug Wojcieszak to present to their staff on October 30th. We are excited about this opportunity.
We want more speaking opportunities. To inquire about a Sorry Works! presentation e-mail doug@sorryworks.net or call 618-559- 8168. Thank you!
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