Question

You're a new resident (house officer). At 2:00 AM, you receive a phone call about a patient you are covering who has diabetes. The patient has an elevated blood sugar of 375. You order 12 units of NovoLog (rapid-acting) insulin and ask the nurse to check the sugar again in one hour and call you back. One hour later, the sugar is 280, so you order another 10 units. By 4:00 AM, the patient's sugar is dangerously low at 45. You realize that NovoLog insulin takes two to three hours to reach peak effect. By rechecking the patient's glucose after only one hour and giving more insulin so quickly, you set the patient up for an episode of hypoglycemia.

Which of the following is true regarding communication about adverse events with patients?

(A) Information openly communicated to patients about adverse events in their care cannot be used in court.
(B) Open communication with patients can assuage caregivers' feelings of guilt.
(C) Due to its complexity, communication with patients following adverse events is best done by lawyers.
(D) All of the above

Answer 1

Open communication with patients following adverse events can help in alleviating caregivers' guilt. The statement that such information cannot be used in court is not universally true and depends on local laws. Direct communication by healthcare providers is essential, rather than leaving this task to lawyers.

Step-by-step explanation:

(B) Open communication with patients can assuage caregivers' feelings of guilt.

Communicating openly with patients about adverse events in their care is crucial for several reasons. While it might not protect against legal action (option A), it promotes transparency, trust, and ethical responsibility. Openly discussing adverse events allows patients to be informed about their care, understand what happened, and possibly mitigate negative feelings or mistrust that may arise if they feel information is being withheld.

Additionally, open communication can help healthcare providers deal with their feelings of guilt or distress (as indicated in option B) by fostering a sense of honesty and empathy. It also allows patients and families to express their concerns and emotions, potentially leading to a more constructive and healing doctor-patient relationship.

Option C is not accurate, as communication following adverse events is ideally managed by healthcare providers themselves, emphasizing empathy, honesty, and understanding rather than legal personnel.