Citation

Tamburri LM. AACN Adv. Crit. Care 2017; 28(4): 366-374.

Affiliation

Linda M. Tamburri is Clinical Nurse Specialist, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, One Robert Wood Johnson Place, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 (Linda.Tamburri@rwjbh.org).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.4037/aacnacc2017996

PMID

29212644

Abstract

Adverse events may cause a patient serious harm or death; the patient becomes the first victim of these events. The health care providers who become traumatized by the events are the second victims. These second victims experience feelings such as guilt, shame, sadness, and grief, which can lead to profound personal and professional consequences. An organizational culture of blame and a lack of support can intensify the provider's suffering. Second victims, as they move through predictable stages of recovery, can be positively influenced by a supportive organizational culture and the compassionate actions of peers, managers, advanced practice nurses, educators, and senior leaders. The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Healthy Work Environment standards provide a framework for specific actions health care professionals should take to support colleagues during their recovery from adverse events.

©2017 American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.

Language: en

Keywords

adverse event; healthy work environment; medical error; second victim