Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now
U.S. flag
An official website of the United States government

VA Health Systems Research

Go to the VA ORD website
Go to the QUERI website

HSR Citation Abstract

Search | Search by Center | Search by Source | Keywords in Title

Disclosing large scale adverse events in the US Veterans Health Administration: lessons from media responses.

Maguire EM, Bokhour BG, Asch SM, Wagner TH, Gifford AL, Gallagher TH, Durfee JM, Martinello RA, Elwy AR. Disclosing large scale adverse events in the US Veterans Health Administration: lessons from media responses. Public Health. 2016 Jun 1; 135:75-82.

Dimensions for VA is a web-based tool available to VA staff that enables detailed searches of published research and research projects.

If you have VA-Intranet access, click here for more information vaww.hsrd.research.va.gov/dimensions/

VA staff not currently on the VA network can access Dimensions by registering for an account using their VA email address.
   Search Dimensions for VA for this citation
* Don't have VA-internal network access or a VA email address? Try searching the free-to-the-public version of Dimensions



Abstract:

OBJECTIVES: We examined print, broadcast and social media reports about health care systems'' disclosures of large scale adverse events to develop future effective messaging. STUDY DESIGN: Directed content analysis. METHODS: We systematically searched four communication databases, YouTube and Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds relating to six disclosures of lapses in infection control practices in the Department of Veterans Affairs occurring between 2009 and 2012. We assessed these with a coding frame derived from effective crisis and risk communication models. RESULTS: We identified 148 unique media reports. Some components of effective communication (discussion of cause, reassurance, self-efficacy) were more present than others (apology, lessons learned). Media about ''promoting secrecy'' and ''slow response'' appeared in reports when time from event discovery to patient notification was over 75 days. Elected officials'' quotes (n  =  115) were often negative (83%). Hospital officials'' comments (n  =  165) were predominantly neutral (92%), and focused on information sharing. CONCLUSIONS: Health care systems should work to ensure that they develop clear messages focused on what is not well covered by the media, including authentic apologies, remedial actions taken, and shorten the timeframe between event identification and disclosure to patients.





Questions about the HSR website? Email the Web Team

Any health information on this website is strictly for informational purposes and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any condition.