Presenter: Dr. William M. McDonnell, MD,JD,FAAP
Unintended medical outcomes and medical errors account for substantial economic and psychological injuries to patients and physicians. Disclosure about adverse medical events is widely-viewed as a health care provider’s ethical obligation, as well as an important step in preventing future harms. Accordingly, a majority of U.S. states have enacted statutes designed to encourage and protect communications with patients who have experienced adverse medical events. Nevertheless, liability risks associated with disclosure and apologies are often poorly understood by attorneys and by their clients. Ethical considerations mandate that attorneys better appropriately advise their health care clients. This presentation is designed to update attorneys about the liability risks associated with disclosure and apologies, and to empower attorneys to advise health care quality and reducing the costs of medical errors.