Slide 11. The Seven Pillars: A Comprehensive Approach to the Prevention and Response to Patient Events

The "Seven Pillars" Approach: Crossing the Patient Safety—Medical Liability Chasm

Image: The Seven Pillars is depicted as a decision flow chart with the following steps:

• Unexpected Event reported to Safety/Risk Management. →
• Patient Harm?
  • No →
    • Data Base...→
    • "Near Misses"...→
    • Process Improvement.
  • Yes →
    • Consider "Second Patient" Error Investigation. Hold bills →
      • Patient Communication Consult Service 24/7 Immediately Available.
      • [A red star highlights this step] Activation of Crisis Management Team →
      • Process Improvement.
    • Inappropriate Care?
      • No →
        • Patient Communication Consult Service 24/7 Immediately Available.
      • Yes →
        • Full Disclosure with Rapid Apology and Remedy →
        • Patient Communication Consult Service 24/7 Immediately Available.
        • Activation of Crisis Management Team →
        • Process Improvement.

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