Definition
"A caregiver involved and traumatized by an unexpected and adverse patient event and/or medical error for which he or she often feels personally responsible and which causes a sense of failure and calls into question his or her clinical experience and core competencies."
Scott SD, et al (2009) The natural history of recovery for the health care provider "second victim" after adverse patient events. Qual Saf Health Care 18: 325-30
Faced with an adverse event: what can happen, what we can do
Early signs to watch for:
According to the Canadian Patient Safety Institute :
Physics
- Sleep disorders
- Exhaustion
- Dizziness and weakness
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Chills
- Nausea and vomiting
- Tremors and muscle tremors
Emotional
- Numbness
- Feeling overwhelmed or powerless
- Guilt
- Grief or depression
- Loss of control
- Anger
- Panic or fear
Cognitive
- Intrusive thoughts or images
- Poor concentration
- Impaired decision making
- Difficulty doing calculations
- Disturbed thinking
- Blame
Behavioral
- Increase or loss of appetite
- Crisis of tears
- Alcohol consumption
- Disengagement
- Change of activity
- Irritability
- Change of personality
Any professional faced with an adverse event goes through the same stages:
Professionals testify
Video resources in English :
Testimonies from the book "When health care hurts
