"Medicine Means Sometimes Having to Say You Are Sorry"

They are ideals that have been touted for some time in healthcare, but where are we now with regard to disclosure and apology? How do disclosure and apology programs fit into the new healthcare legislation? Whose programs are working, and what are the barriers that prevent others from being successful? Check out Joanne Kenen's article in the April 2, 2010, edition of Miller-McCune.

Lucian Leape Institute at NPSF Releases New White Paper

The Lucian Leape Institute at the National Patient Safety Foundation released a white paper on March 10th, 2009, arguing that US medical schools fail to prepare future physicians with the skills and knowledge necessasry to ensure safe delivery of patient care. The report, "Unmet Needs: Teaching Physicians to Provide Safe Care," describes the shortcomings of the current medical education system and issues an urgent call for reform.

To read the press release and to download a copy of the report, click here.

Lucian L. Leape, MD, is the Chair of the Lucian Leape Institute and is also a Special Advisor to the MITSS Board of Directors.

The Treatment Trap -- A New Book by Rosemary Gibson

This past Tuesday, Health Care for All sponsored a program featuring Rosemary Gibson, author of The Wall of Silence. Rosemary and co-author Janardan Prasad Singh have just released a new book, The Treatment Trap -- How the Overuse of Medical Care is Wrecking Your Health and What You Can Do to Prevent It. The book explores the overuse, misuse, and underuse of medical care -- including needless surgery and other invasive procedures, out-of-control x-ray imaging, profligate testing, and other wasteful practices that have become routine among too many American doctors.

Click here to check out the book on Amazon.

Look for a profile of the author, Rosemary Gibson, in the upcoming edition of the MITSS newsletter.

2010 MITSS HOPE Award -- Call for Nominations

In honor of National Patient Safety Awareness Week (March 7th through the 13th, 2010), MITSS is pleased to announce that we are now accepting nominations for the Third Annual MITSS HOPE Award. The HOPE Award was established in 2008 to recognize people -- patients, families, healthcare providers, hospitals (or teams or departments therein), academic institutions, community health centers, grass roots organizations, EAP programs, etc. -- who exemplify the mission of MITSS: Supporting Healing and Restoring Hope to patients, families, and clinicians impacted by adverse medical events. The winner of the Award will receive a $5,000 cash prize to continue their work.

The 2010 Sponsor of the HOPE Award is rL Solutions.

Nominations are due by September 15th, 2010, and the Award will be presented at the MITSS 9th Annual Dinner and Fundraiser to be held on Thursday, November 4, 2010, at The Westin Copley Place, Boston, MA.

For eligibility criteria and submission requirements, click here. Take this opportunity to nominate someone who is doing great work. Note that self-nominations will be acceptable. Visit www.mitsshopeaward.org for all things MITSS HOPE Award -- download a nomination form, check out past winners, and much, much more!!! Also, feel free to give us a call at (617) 232-0090 or toll free at 1-888-366-4877 if you have any questions.

Patient Safety Awareness Week -- March 7 through the 13th

Patient Safety Awareness Week (PSAW) is a national education and awareness-building campaign for improving patient safety at the local level. Hospitals and healthcare organizations across the country are encouraged to plan events to promote patient safety within their own organizations. Educational activities are centered on educating patients on how to become involved in their own health care, as well as working with hospitals to build partnerships with their patient community.

This year's theme is "Let's Talk -- Healthy Conversations for Safer Healthcare."

At MITSS, we have offered a "To Do List" for healthcare organizations to support their patients, families, and clinicians during this important week. Check out our clinicians' blog for our day to day guide.

This week, and every week, we would like to remember those who have been harmed by adverse events and honor those who are working to make healthcare safer.

The Power of Sharing One's Story

MITSS has a "Share Your Story" feature on our website -- for both patients and families as well as clinicians. Recently, a mother who lost her newborn baby due to a series medical errors was kind and courageous enough to share her story with us. Check out Wendy's Story just posted to our site (www.mitss.org).

We would like to encourage anyone who has a story to share it with us and the entire MITSS community. While the facts may not the same, the feelings are all too common, and by sharing your experience with an adverse medical event, you may help other patients and family members on their journey toward healing.

After all, we are all in this together, and this is just another way that we can support and learn from each other.

Weekend Update

As the week draws to a close, we'd like to call your attention to some upcoming deadlines for some wonderful opportunities:

The National Patient Safety Foundation has issued a call for nominations for awards to be presented at its Annual Patient Safety Congress, May 17 to 19, 2010, in Orlando, Florida. MITSS's own Linda Kenney was the recipient of the 2006 Socius Award. The deadline for nominations is February 12.

The American Hospital Association (AHA) and National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF) co-sponsor a year-long Patient Safety Leadership Fellowship. This a unique and exciting opportunity. Linda was actually the first consumer participant and graduate of the Fellowship in 2005. The deadline for applications is February 15.

The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) will accept applications for its Safe Medication Management Fellowship until March 1.