What is open disclosure?
Open disclosure is an open discussion with the patient, and their family and carer(s) about adverse events that result in harm to the patient while receiving health care.
The Australian Open Disclosure Framework provides a nationally consistent basis for communication when care does not go to plan. It is designed so that patients are treated respectfully after adverse events.
In the unfortunate circumstance where an episode of care does not go to plan, City Fertility will communicate with the patient in accordance with the principles of Open Disclosure in which the mandatory requirements are as follows:
1. Ackowledgement
Acknowledgement of a patient or patient gamete/embryo safety incident to the patient and/or their support person(s), as soon as possible, generally within 24 hours of the incident. This includes recognising the significance of the incident to the patient.
2. Communication
Truthful, clear and timely communication on an ongoing basis as required.
3. Apology
Providing an apology to the patient and/or their support person(s) as early as possible, including the words “I am sorry” or “we are sorry”.
4. Provision of care and support
Providing care and support to patients and/or their support person(s), which is responsive to their needs and expectations, for as long is required.
5. Support to health care providers
Providing support to those providing health care, which is responsive to their needs and expectations.
6. Improvements
An integrated approach to improving patient safety, in which open disclosure is linked with clinical and corporate governance, incident reporting, risk management and quality improvement policies and processes. City Fertility already has these processes in place. This includes evaluation of the process by patients and their support person(s) and staff, accountability for learning from patient or patient embryo/gametes safety incidents and evidence of systems improvement.
7. Multidisciplinary involvement
Multidisciplinary involvement in the open disclosure process requiring input from each department involved, plus their direct treating clinician and medical director where relevant.
8. Compliance and legalities
Compliance with legal requirements for Privacy and Confidentiality for the patient and/or their support person(s), and staff delivering healthcare. Should you, your family, or carer(s) have any concerns during or after your treatment, City Fertility strongly encourages you to raise them.
Please click here to read our full Open Disclosure Policy.
