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Share Your Most Memorable Patient Safety Cases


In the July 2019 edition of the American Academy of Ophthalmology's EyeNet magazine, American Board of Ophthalmology diplomate Tamara Fountain, MD, with co-author and ABO Emeritus Director Philip L. Custer, MD, explore the root cause of a surgical oversight (note: AAO login required). Edited by ABO Director Jane Bailey, MD, the article is part of an ABO-led series for the Morning Rounds section of the magazine.

If you have a story you think would help illustrate the importance of patient safety protocols, the ABO is presently collecting anonymized cases. Each story of 1500 words or fewer adheres to a template that includes the following elements:

Case Summary

Brief case description with key details, including:

  • Explanation of the harm done

  • Measurements of how much harm was caused

  • How the harm affected the patient’s life

Analysis

  • Root cause analysis

  • What systemic, cultural, or other factors may have played a role?

  • What went right? What further harm could have happened if not for positive conditions?

Patient Safety Principles

  • What could/should have been done differently to improve patient safety?

  • Several practical solutions

  • What clinical guides, care processes, resources, references might be useful in addressing the root case?

Art

  • One piece of art is needed to accompany the article. This could be diagnostic readouts, OCT images, photos, etc. We will redact all patient info. Photos would be cropped so the patient is unrecognizable or the submitting MD must state in writing that he/she has written permission from the patient.

If you are interested in sharing a story or would like to suggest a topic, please write to communications@abop.org.

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