Originally created Thursday, August 23, 2007
NavHosp Jax hosts regional conference
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Beyond the Headlines 2 was designed to improve communications between staff, patients and their families and raise awareness about patient safety and risk management issues.
In her opening remarks, Bono said, "This is an open forum for elevating our communication. We must communicate clearly, accurately and respectfully to our patients and their families at every encounter. We may be thinking we are telling our patients one thing, but they may be thinking, hearing, seeing something else. The way we communicate is the key to our success."
Bono reported the experiences at the naval hospital are not unique to military medicine. Civilian medical facilities face the same challenges. Americans are filing an increasing number of medical malpractice lawsuits for a variety of reasons. They may have experienced a bad or unexpected outcome or they may be seeking information about what really happened. Establishing a good relationship with patients and their families is the cornerstone of good medical care and risk management.
Navy Medicine East Deputy Commander Rear Adm. Donald Gintzig reiterated Bono's sentiments. He explained, "medical errors occur everyday in every hospital. It is how we deal with them that counts. Our patients come to us in their most vulnerable times. What they look for is someone who really listens, cares and understands. I know each of you wants to make a difference in people's lives and we are here today to learn. We are here today to connect."
The hospital's Quality Management Physician Advisor Cmdr. Jerry "Rick" Foltz, II, presented case studies and outlined how these reviews have improved patient safety and quality of care. He observed, "What we have been doing since 2005 has made a real difference. We have really looked hard and put ourselves under the microscope. We have taken risk management and made it part of our lives. Through the lessons we have learned, it has made me think how to instill patient safety into my practice of medicine."
Naval Hospital Jacksonville Commanding Officer Capt. Raquel Bono (center)
addresses guests at the "Beyond the Headlines 2" seminar. To Bono's left is Naval Hospital's Quality Management Physician Advisor Cmdr. Rick Foltz
and to her right is Army Reserve Maj. Gen. Jeffery Arnold, an advisor to the
Secretary of the Army. Arnold provided an overview of medical malpractice
from the plaintiff's point of view.
Photos by HM1(SW) Michael Morgan
The participants received a rare glimpse of medical/legal issues from the plaintiff's lawyer's point of view presented by U.S. Army Reserve Officer Maj. Gen. Jeffery Arnold, a special assistant to the Secretary of the Army. He observed, "Every hospital, be it military or civilian has bad cases. A bad result doesn't mean bad medicine. Treat people with dignity and respect, even the difficult ones. Never guarantee a result. Docs do that sometimes."
During a breakout session, Marie Aubin-Kelly, a legal nurse analyst with Litigation Management, Inc., provided statistics about the growing number of medical negligence cases citing not only physicians but also nurses. She pointed out that improving medical/nursing documentation alone would not prevent litigation or medical errors, but it could exonerate those providing safe, thorough patient care according to standards.
The conference received high marks from the participants and helped to raise awareness about how health care providers can better communicate with patients and incorporate risk management into the health-related services they provide.
Bono thanked the Naval Hospital Jacksonville staff for their continued commitment to improving the quality of care for our warfighters, retirees and military families. She concluded, "everyday we have heroes who walk through our hallways and they deserve the very best in health care. It is our honor and distinct privilege to provide that care."
