Surgical error - Ethical issues of adverse events

We all recognize and accept that adverse events occur with some frequency i n surgery and that all departments meet regularly to review them. Since adv erse events and "mistakes" have the potential for delaying recovery and inj uring surgical patients, an ethical mandate exists to do all that can be do ne to prevent harm. This article suggests that there are 5 issues within th e practice of surgery that have inhibited improvement in quality: (1) inade quate data about the incidence of adverse events, (2) inadequate practice g uidelines or protocols and poor outcome analysis, (3) a culture of blame, ( 4) a need to compensate "injured" patients, and (5) difficulty in truth tel ling.