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Adverse Medical Events/Critical Incidents

A perioperative death or catastrophe, or the unexpected death of a colleague, can be devastating for the CRNA/nurse anesthesiologist or Resident. The first step is awareness of the impact a critical incident or adverse event can have on your well-being and understanding the typical emotional and physical responses:

Isolation
Negative self-image
Massive emotional impact
Anger syndromes
Fatigue syndromes

The Betsy Lehman Center for Patient Safety provides information on how to cope with adverse events and support colleagues.

Disclaimer

The resources on this page may incorporate or summarize views, guidelines, or recommendations of third parties. Such material is assembled and presented in good faith, but does not necessarily reflect the views of the AANA. Links to third-party websites are inserted for informational purposes and do not constitute endorsement of the material on those sites, or of any associated organization.

Explore Resources

AANA Resources

Practice Guidance

AANA Guidelines for Critical Incident Stress Management
AANA Position Statement on Policy and Practice Considerations Unintended Awareness During General Anesthesia

Wellness Articles

AANA Journal Articles

External Resources

AHRQ (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)
- Promoting the psychological well-being of healthcare providers facing the burden of adverse events: a systematic review of second victim support resources., 2021
- Duration of Second Victim Syndrome, 2019
- Cost-Benefit Analysis of a Support Program for Nursing Staff, 2017
AnesthesiologyNews
- Second Victim Program Helps Health Care Workers Cope in the Aftermath of Tragedy
Fatal Mistakes, The Journal of Advanced Practice Nursing 2017
Faculty Programs
- forYOUTeam
- RISE (Resiliency In Stressful Events)
Health Leaders Media:
- After an Adverse Event, Staff Needs Support 2013
- Medical Error ‘Second Victims’ Get Some Help, Finally 2013
The International Critical Incident Stress Foundation
The Joint Commission
- Quick Safety Issue 39: Supporting second victims
Litigation Stress
- Physician Litigation Stress
Medically Induced Trauma Support Services (MITSS)
- Supporting a Colleague
- Video Clips
Peer Support: Healthcare Professionals Supporting Each Other After Adverse Medical Events, BMJ 2008
Respectful Management of Serious Clinical Adverse Events, 2011
Responding to Patient Safety Incidents: The “Seven Pillars”, IHI 2008

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Personal Impact of Adverse Events

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Ways to Relieve Stress