Do we gain when we “fully and openly” disclose our errors?

We’ll be asked to change for a higher purpose

Memory tells me that, in the 1970s, open disclosure of harmful medical error was not widely practiced by physicians or hospitals. That is changing: Open disclosure and consistent reporting of harmful medical error and adverse events is becoming an important part of the health-care system and, as better processes evolve for disclosure and reporting of error, we’re likely to see continuous improvement of that system. What does this change require of physicians? We will find ourselves placing our professional liability risk in balance with the potential for system-wide improvement in how health care is delivered to our patients.