Managing Adverse Events

Summary

This one-day course is a high-fidelity simulation programme and is delivered in collaboration with the College of Anaesthesiologists in Ireland and takes place in the National Simulation Centre at RCSI. It is open to surgeons working in Irish hospitals.

The aims of the course are to:

  • Facilitate a discussion about the impact of error on the patient and doctor
  • Discuss the notion of the doctor as the second victim
  • Demonstrate appropriate methods of disclosure of error
  • Provide the trainee the opportunity to practice open disclosure using role-play
  • Present the ASSIST model of responding to a medical error.  

Suitable for: All surgical NCHDs (it is not suitable for Emergency Medicine NCHDs).

Learning outcomes

At the end of the module the trainee should be able to:

  • Demonstrate skills in managing adverse events clinically and in communication with patients and relatives
  • Describe the differences between complications and errors, and outline how these differences impact on disclosure to patients
  • Demonstrate understanding of new disclosure guidelines and legislative obligations for disclosure of error
  • Respond effectively to the experience of a simulated adverse event
  • Demonstrate an awareness of the impact of medical error on patients and healthcare workers
  • Justify and defend the importance of honest error disclosure
  • Identify and consider the effects of and adverse event on the second victim
  • Appreciate the importance of facilitating peer support in the event of an adverse event.