Open Disclosure
What is open disclosure?
Open disclosure is the process of open communication with a patient, and or their family/support person, following an adverse or unexpected event that may or may not result in harm to the patient.
The Open Disclosure Process
The Open Disclosure Process will commence after the detection of a clinical incident by:
- A member of staff at the time of the incident
- When an unexpected outcome is first detected sometime after the incident
- A patient who expresses concern or dissatisfaction with their health care either at the time of the incident or at some time after the incident
- Incident discovered at audit, such as clinical audit or medical records review.
Following the detection of a clinical incident, members of the clinical team must ensure that steps are taken to immediately prevent or reduce the occurrence of further suffering and harm to the patient. After any such steps have been initiated, the following measures should be implemented by the hospital:
- Report the clinical incident to a relevant authority, in accordance with Department of Health policy
- Notify the patient of the clinical incident and the facts that are known up to that point in time
- Undertake an investigation of the incident
- Provide feedback to the patient
- Develop an agreed plan for the ongoing care of the patient