April 17, 2025

CARe Forum: Study underscores role of open communication in patient recovery from harm events

Recent research shows that limited or no communication with patients after medical harm events has prolonged implications for their health, emotional well-being, and trust in their providers. At the Communication, Apology and Resolution (CARe) Forum organized by the Betsy Lehman Center and held last week in Boston, participants discussed opportunities to improve CARe and similar approaches to supporting patients after adverse events, in light of the findings. The forum also featured new case study video simulations, now available with other CARe resources on the Center’s website.

Read the story

Rapid response leads to national device recall and recognition for ICU nurses at BIDMC

Critical care nurses at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston have been recognized for prompting changes to faulty infusion pumps that posed a patient safety risk nationwide. After reporting the problem, ICU nurses worked with clinical engineers at BIDMC and the manufacturer to mitigate risks to patients from the more than 450 pumps in operation at the hospital while a solution was in development. The team received an award from the DAISY Foundation and recognition from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for their vigilance, and the team's report led to a Class I recall of the pumps.

Read the story and see the video

Timely data analysis contributes to maternal health safety goals, Betsy Lehman Center report shows

With rates of maternal morbidity and mortality still on the rise, a group of state agencies and pilot hospitals are meeting with success after adopting an accelerated schedule for submitting and analyzing key data. Interviews with participants show that reporting discharge data to the state on a monthly rather than quarterly basis leads to more timely analysis, contributing to birthing hospitals’ efforts to improve maternal health outcomes. Other birthing hospitals in the state are invited to join the effort.

Read the story

Upcoming events

May 1

2 p.m.

Measuring how health care organizations respond after patients experience harm. Lauge Sokol-Hessner, M.D., Carole Hemmelgarn, M.S., Beth Miller, Ph.D., Diane O'Connor, M.B.A., and Leilani Schweitzer discuss how to measure the results of communication and resolution programs. Register here

May 9

3 - 4 p.m.

Compassion and safety: A trauma-informed approach for patients and providers. A Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare webinar about grounding patient safety improvement efforts in compassion science. Register here

May 20

5 - 6:15 p.m.

PFAC Spring Forum. The Betsy Lehman Center hosts its semi-annual virtual forum for Patient and Family Advisory Councils in Massachusetts, featuring a top national researcher on PFAC impact. Register here

The Betsy Lehman Cente r is a Massachusetts state agency that supports providers, patients and policymakers working together to advance the safety and quality of health care.

BetsyLehmanCenterMA.gov