Today, we’re launching a series of discussions aimed at exploring patient safety from the perspective of health care professionals.
About five months ago, as part of our ongoing reporting on patient safety, we started a Facebook group for our readers who had suffered harm while undergoing medical care. The goals were to create connections, share stories and discuss what might be done about the ongoing problem of infections, injuries and mistakes. We’ve highlighted why patients rarely report errors (and obstacles when they do), legal options and financial consequences of suffering harm. And our members have shared their stories.
But much of the conversation so far has stemmed from the experiences of patients and family members. Now we aim to find out what providers think.
Do medical professionals really believe that one in four patients suffer some type of harm? Who or what do they think is responsible for the persistent problem? What’s the typical process at hospitals after a patient suffers harm? And what’s it like when providers are involved in an incident where a patient is harmed?
Over the next few days, we’ll be inviting a series of care providers to respond to these issues on Branch, a new platform for online conversation. We chose Branch because it encourages focused and intimate conversation; Branches are public – but only approved participants can contribute. And we hope that a range of providers – nurses, EMTs, techs, doctors – will contribute.
Below is our first discussion question. If you have a Twitter account, you just click Ask To Join; the first thing you should do after we approve you is post. If you do not have a Twitter account and would like to participate, please email blair.hickman@propublica.org. We will add you.
Check back here at noon every day between now and next Wednesday for the day’s new discussion question. And if you’re not available to Branch with us, but still have a story to share, fill out our questionnaire for providers. Your input will help inform our reporting.