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October 13, 2008 NEWSLETTER
Doug Wojcieszak, Founder & Spokesperson
Contact phone/e-mail address: 618-559-8168; doug@sorryworks.net
THIS WEEK'S EDITION:
OCTOBER 13 NEWSLETTER
Doug Wojcieszak, Founder & Spokesperson
Contact phone/e-mail address: 618-559-8168; doug@sorryworks.net
IN THIS EDITION:
- Sorry Works! Editorial: Flower Power! Flowers Signal Need for Better Service
- Sorry Works! presentations in Kansas, Chicago
- Sorry Works! Books for the Holidays
- Medical Malpractice New Jersey: Sorry Works!
SORRY WORKS! EDITORIAL: FLOWER POWER! ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS SIGNAL NEED FOR BETTER SERVICE
A few weeks ago Sorry Works! Founder Doug Wojcieszak spoke to a large hospital in Oklahoma. Doug gave the typical/usual presenatations on disclosure & apology to the hospital leadership and medical staff, but the hospital had Doug also give five (5) additional presentations to every other employee in the hospital, from the most junior nurses to the janitor, security guards, and cafeteria workers. Wojcieszak spoke to over 500 employees in two-days. During the at-large presentations, Wojcieszak's disclosure talks focused on the customer service elements of disclosure. In particular, Wojcieszak helped the hospita introduce to their employees a new program in which a vase of artificial flowers will be placed in the room of any patient where a problem - be it major or minor - has occured. The flowers are the secret internal signal to all staff/employees that something has gone with this patient/family and time to take it to the next service level. Time to go above and beyond the call and go out of their way to re-build the relationship.
This is a starK contrast to the old days of treating angry patients/families like they were "radioactive." Even if you don't treat a patient/family like they are radioactive, they can be hypersensitive and misinterept well- meaning medical professionals. A busy nurse who simply forgot to say "hello" is seen as "cold," and a doctor who runs in to check a chart and dashes back out because he/she is late for their next appointment is thought of as "arrogant." A janitor who has a frown on his face because he just finished cleaning up a mess in the last room is seen as "gruff" and "rude."
The flowers are a signal to the staff to take an extra second and be pleasant, ask the patient/family how everything is, and can anything be done for them? A smile and some extra effort can go a long way to rebuild trust and a relationship, which is a major part of the entire disclosure effort. Also, the flowers signal for every employee to be on the look out for any other potential mistakes/errors with this patient/family and speak up quickly is something seems wrong.
Indeed, "flower power" is taking on a whole new meaning!
SORRY WORKS! PRESENTATIONS IN KANSAS AND CHICAGO
Sorry Works! Founder Doug Wojcieszak made two presentations last week to the Kansas Risk Managers and the disclosure conference at Northwestern University in Chicago, IL.
The Kansas Risk Managers were a great audience and they cleaned out the entire inventory of Sorry Works! Books in Wojcieszak's briefcase. We look forward to many additional visits to Kansas in the near future.
In Chicago, Wojcieszak spoke alongside Rick Boothman, JD, of the University of Michigan Healthcare System and Dr. Tim McDonald, MD/JD, of the University of Illinois Medical Center (Chicago,IL) Both Rick and Tim did a fantastic job educating the Northwestern audience about their successful disclosure programs, including the latest data and success stories from their programs.
If you are interested in a Sorry Works! presentation, please e-mail doug@sorryworks.net or call 618-559-8168.
SORRY WORKS! BOOKS FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Hard to believe it, but the Holidays are right around the corner. With a tight economy you'll need to find reasonably priced gifts for the healthcare, insurance, and legal professionals on your list. Enter the Sorry Works! Book. For the $23.50 per copy, you can provide the "how-to" manual on disclosure and apology. The book also includes a stylish bookmark with disclosure tips. Furthermore, bulk discounts are available for large orders.
You won't find a more meaningful gift or more appreciated gift for the price. To order individual copies visit this link: http://www.sorryworks.net/booksoon.phtml. To make a bulk purchase, e-mail doug@sorryworks.net or call 618-559-8168.
Happy Holidays!
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE NEW JERSEY: SORRY WORKS!
Another great article below for Sorry Works! co- author James Saxton, Esq. Interestingly, this article is actually a post of an article we shared with you last week - and the post was apparently put forth by a plaintiff's advocate. When you speak to folks on the plaintiff's side they usually tell the same tale as the defense side when it comes to what patients/families want post- adverse event: answers, accountability, and genuine effort to fix problems. Absent these factors patients/families become angry and seek legal counsel.
Please share with colleagues and friends.
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE NEW JERSEY: SORRY WORKS
Submitted by pauljustice30@g
September 29, 2008
Business | Legal Issues
Best Syndication News
A recent study and theory have suggested that if doctors admitted to their mistake and said sorry to their patient, the rate of medical malpractice would be significantly decreased. Jim Saxton, chairman of the health litigation group of the Stevens & Lee law firm and wrote the book "Sorry Works" to try to curtail the amount of medical malpractice suits and bring knowledge on how doctors should act if they commit medical malpractice.
One of Saxton's main theories is that if a doctor commits medical malpractice, admits to it, and offers to compensate the victim, filing of medical malpractice would be significantly decreased. Some people might be thinking why discourage filing for medical malpractice if the doctor is willing to pay anyways. What people might not know is that a medical malpractice New Jersey case is extremely expensive that stems from costly attorney fees, litigation fees that tend to last for years at a time. In decreasing the amount of medical malpractice cases, the government would be saving millions of dollars a year. Not only will the government save money, but everyone else involved in the litigation including insurance companies, doctors, and victims as well.
This situation can only occur however if doctors admit their mistake and emphasize with the victim. It seems that when doctors refuse to admit that they have done wrong and won’t talk about the occurrence to the victim, this is when a medical malpractice suit is filed. In order for a cost savings to be in effect, doctors must not place more importance on their egos over the health of their patients. When a doctor apologizes the patient realizes that not only is the doctor human but they had enough courage to admit it face to face. Generally a victim will be more willing to work with the doctor and the medical institution. In many cases the patient just wants to be healthy again and is not concerned in participating in a lengthy and emotionally trying litigation. If however the instance of medical malpractice New Jersery causes significant damage to the health of the patient, it is important to first help the patient from a medical standpoint than to worry about whether or not the patient is going to file a medical malpractice suit later down the line. "Saying you're sorry is not an admission of guilt, Saxton says. It is a way to substitute a human process for the legal process." If more doctors take this approach then most likely the number of medical malpractice cases will be reduced, along with the associated costs.
If you have fallen victim to medical malpractice New Jersey in which your doctor refuses to talk to you or admits their fault, contact a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible. In instances like this it is necessary to be equipped with the best lawyers that are able to stand up for you in a court of law and provide you with the support that you need. Contact a medical malpractice New Jersey Lawyer today if you have fallen victim to medical malpractice.
Paul Justice gives advice to clients who are looking for attorneys to handle injury related cases such as Medical Malpractice and automobile accidents. To know more about Malpractice NYC, malpractice Lawyer, Medical Malpractice New Jersey and Medical malpractice New York visit www.nbrlawfirm.com
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