OPEN DISCLOSURE

Open disclosure was introduced by the Australian Commission on Quality and Safety in Healthcare (the Commission) which is a process of open communication with a patient, and or their family support person, following an adverse or unexpected event that may or may not result in harm to the patient.

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The open disclosure process provides an ethical framework for ensuring that staff inform patients, and where applicable their support person, in an open, honest and empathetic manner about a patient related incident and its implications for the health care of those patients.

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The Open Disclosure Framework provides principles to address the interests of patients, support persons, staff and other key stakeholder groups. These Include:

• Openness and timeliness of communication

• Acknowledgement of the incidents

• Expression of regret/apology

• Recognition of the reasonable expectations of the patient and their support person

• Staff need for support

• Confidentiality

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For more information, download a copy of the full Open Disclosure document produced by the Commission.