Patient and Families Following Medical Harm

Health Care for All WebinarLinda Kenney

March 12, 2014

We all have stories…

Creation of MITSS

2002 – Medically Induced Trauma Support Services (MITSS), Inc.

Mission:To Support Healing and Restore Hope to patients, families, and clinicians following adverse medical events.

Working DefinitionMedically Induced Traumais an unexpected outcome that occurs during medical and/or surgical care that affects the emotional well being of the patient, family member, and/or clinician(s).

Adverse Event– Medical Error– Unanticipated Outcome– Known complications– Harm due to medical intervention

Trauma

Trauma is a part of the human experience. The trauma response occurs when a person experiences or witnesses a sudden, terrible, and unexpected event which temporarily destroys his/her ability to cope.

Trauma is essentially a normal response to an abnormal or extreme event.

Patient & Family Brochure

• Transparent communication in real time• An apology or an acknowledgement• Organizational response to prevent

recurrence• Support (unique for each individual)

What Patients and Families Want Following Adverse Medical Events

Patients and families may feel a mix of emotions following an adverse medical event, including:

• Sadness• Anger• Mistrust• Isolation• A desire to connect

with others

• Guilt• Shame• Fear • Grief/Loss• Grateful to survive• Ambivalence

• Further medical follow-up as a result of event

• Chronic pain• Financial strain• Job loss/increased work stress• Child care/parenting burdens• Marital conflict• Death of a loved one

Multifaceted Consequences

MITSS Patient/Family Group

Early on….

• MITSS realized if hospital’s weren’t acknowledging these events, how were going to provide support.

• MITSS started to get more involved in what was called “Disclosure and Apology”

MACRMI

• Involved early on• After the PFAC’s look at documents, we send

it out to the patients and families who have utilized MITSS services

• They see things through a specific lens

www.mitsstools.org – Downloadable Items• Patient/Family Brochure• LEND Document• Common Reactions to Trauma• Self-care Tips• Child’s Reaction to Trauma

MITSS Resources & Contact Info.

Linda Kenneylkenney@mitss.org617-232-0090www.mitss.org