Patients at hospitals throughout the nation suffer injuries at the hands of the very individuals charged with improving their health. In many instances the inclination of those involved is to try to hide the infraction that constitutes hospital negligence, particularly in cases where the outcome is not serious. Applying the theory that the best way to address problems is to identify them, this is not beneficial.

One hospital in another state has taken a different approach however. In an effort to open dialogue about medical mistakes occurring at the facility, it has gone so far as to write about errors in an online newsletter that is updated monthly. In addition to providing the opportunity for individuals to share their thoughts on how such mistakes could be avoided in the future, it also presents these situations in a manner that makes the injured patient more than just a statistic.

Though the publication is meant for employees, it is available to those who are not internal as well. In fact, paper versions of the newsletter will soon be distributed throughout the hospital in areas for employees. It is highly probable that some of these will make their way into the hands of patients and other visitors to the hospital.

The ultimate goal of this is newsletter is to reduce the number of the medical mistakes that occur in the hospital. Just whether it is having the intended effect is not yet clear. For patients who have been injured as a result of negligence at a hospital it is possible that a medical malpractice lawsuit could be filed. In addition to holding a hospital responsible for the negligence, successful lawsuits also provide financial damages to the injured party.

Source: Boston Globe, "Brigham and Women's airing medical mistakes," Liz Kowalczyk, April 9, 2013