Table 5 Interventions to prevent the impact of adverse events on second and third victims

Regular studies are carried out to assess knowledge, attitudes and behaviours related to patient safety (safety culture) among the staff (including management team).

Our reporting system is organised in such a way that it is NOT possible to identify professionals who have been involved in incidents or AE to protect their legal position.

A crisis plan has been developed that sets out what to do in the event of a serious AE in one or more patients.

We have a protocol for deciding who should tell patients (or their relatives) that an AE has occurred and what, when and how they should be told.

Patients who have suffered from serious AE (or their relatives) have an identified contact person and method of communication, in the days after the incident, to provide guidance and answer their questions.

Health professionals who have been involved in a serious AE have access to a specialized professional in their own organisation for support and as a contact person with whom to share their experience to cope with their feelings of blame, stress, and loss of confidence in their professional judgement, to reduce the impact of the AE on them as second victims.

Professionals involved with serious AE are encouraged and systematically recommended to talk to peers and other colleagues to analyse what has happened and to alleviate the pressure they feel.

We have a communication plan ensuring that, in the months after news of medical errors in the organisation, positive information about our care work is released to help to build trust in the organisation and its staff.