title: Disclosure of medical errors.
abstract: The 1999 release of the Institute of Medicine's document To Err is Human was akin to removing the lid of Pandora's box. Not only were the magnitude and impact of medical errors now apparent to those working in the health care industry, but consumers or health care were alerted to the occurrence of medical events causing harm. One specific solution advocated was the disclosure to patients and their families of adverse events resulting from medical error. Knowledge of the historical perspective, ethical underpinnings, and medico-legal implications gives us a better appreciation of current recommendations for disclosing adverse events resulting from medical error to those affected.
authors.affiliation: The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada. anne.matlow@sickkids.ca
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Matlow
authors.forename: Polly
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: Ronald M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Laxer
mesh_terms: D030881:Disclosure / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence