Experience. Knowledge. Care.

Many patients and families would agree with you.  The reality is mistakes do occur and are often the result of human factors.  One very good example of the influence of human factors is the experience of the Bromiley family.  Their experience has been documented in a YouTube video entitled ‘Just a routine operation’.

You do have the right to see your chart.  You may have to make this request in writing, but you are entitled to see the information about you.

Nurses and doctors want patients to be involved in their health care.  They should welcome any questions and encourage patients to take an active role in their health care.  Asking questions can give you and your family peace of mind.

Health care is complicated and health institutions are often very large.  Despite the best efforts of the team, mistakes can be made.  Regardless of a complaint, you should receive the care you need.

Complaints are often an opportunity to improve the system for everyone.  The right question posed to the right person can lead to positive change.

A good starting point is to write your concerns in point form.  Write it as you see it, your observations only, no opinion.  This is not an essay, it does not have to be neat, you do not have to share this with anyone.  Write down your questions and any answers that you have gained.  Over time this exercise will provide clarity to events and you will gain a greater understanding of your health care.  If you are still left with large gaps, this is where I can help.

Unless you or your family have a clinical background it will be very difficult to know if you are receiving all the relevant information from management.

Since the development of patient safety initiatives, health care providers have been doing better at disclosing information.  However, problems do arise in communication because often management has no clinical background.  They may be able to answer general questions, but lack the knowledge and experience to understand the clinical context and the implications.  This is part of my role, asking the right question and discerning the right answer.

This will depend upon the circumstances, the standard of care that has been breached, and the available remedy.  In any circumstance, my role is to work with the patient, the family, and the lawyer to see that the situation is resolved.  Your first question to any lawyer should be what is your experience with health and malpractice law?  Unfortunately, there are very few lawyers with such experience, and this is one area where I can provide guidance.

No, there are several things that we can do to address your concerns.  For example, in the case of a less serious breach of care, a formal letter to management or the regulatory body of the health care provider may be enough to rectify the situation.

In the case of a serious breach of the standard of care, for example where you are left unable to work, then consulting a lawyer is necessary to gain financial compensation.