Patients and Providers Using New Healthcare Resolution Process
First Annual Report on Early Discussion and Resolution Gives Details
For immediate release: October 19, 2015
PORTLAND, OR – The Oregon Patient Safety Commission (OPSC) has released its first report about the implementation and use of Oregon’s Early Discussion and Resolution (EDR) program. The Early Discussion and Resolution Annual Report: July 2014-June 2015 provides an overview of EDR activity in the first year and lessons learned from early implementation.
EDR was created by the Oregon Legislature to give providers and patients a safe environment for open conversation after a patient is harmed during their care. Since EDR launched in July 2014, both patients and providers have requested confidential conversations with the hope of talking about what went wrong and finding resolution outside the legal system.
Between July 2014 and June 2015, 29 patients and healthcare professionals requested a discussion through EDR. Twenty-one of those requests came from patients and eight came from healthcare professionals. Some of the requests resulted in discussions. While participants are beginning to share information about their EDR experiences with the Patient Safety Commission, more data about these discussions is expected over time.
“Early Discussion and Resolution is the best way to handle situations in which patients have suffered harm from their medical care. This transparent and patient-centered approach gives both providers and patients a way to move on,” stated Bob Dannenhoffer, MD, co-chair of the Task Force on Resolution of Adverse Healthcare Incidents—the body that oversees EDR.
After harm occurs, either a patient or provider can initiate Early Discussion and Resolution by requesting a discussion. Participation in the process is voluntary for both parties. “In addition to connecting patients and providers who want to talk after harm has occurred, the Patient Safety Commission is supporting patients and providers in their efforts to reach resolution,” said Bethany Walmsley, executive director of the Patient Safety Commission. “This annual report highlights our commitment to this important work and the long-term potential EDR has to improve patient safety in Oregon.”