Adverse Medical Events/Bad Outcomes - How to Cope

Have you been involved in an adverse medical event?

A Perioperative death or catastrophe can be devastating for the nurse anesthetist or student nurse anesthetist.  The first step is awareness of the impact this can have on your well-being and to understand the emotional and physical responses:

Health professionals recommend that you seek emotional support following an adverse medical event, such as peer support, self-help groups, or professional counseling.  Does your workplace have an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?  If not, talk to your personal healthcare provider for recommendations on counseling and support. 

Bad outcomes resources:

​Medically Induced Trauma Support Services (MITSS) ​

  

The Jan Stewart Speaker at Annual Meeting this August in Las Vegas is CRNA Maria van Pelt on "The Aftermath of Perioperative Catastrophes: Our Voices are Finally Heard!"

January 2013 article in HealthLeaders Media, "Medical Error 'Second Victims' Get Some Help, Finally" cites two organized institutional structures to help clinicians following an event:

  • University of Missouri Health Care - forYOUTeam with 99 trained volunteers who provided "emotional first aid" peer support for 639 coworkers.
  • John Hopkins Hospital - RISE (Resiliency In Stressful Events) Team of 30 peer volunteers.

The International Critical Incident Stress Foundation provides leadership, education, training, consultation, and support services in comprehensive crisis intervention and disaster behavioral health services to the emergency response professions, other organizations, and communities worldwide.

See also the Wellness Milestones index for these helpful articles:

  • Change, Grief, and Healing - comfort in recovery and healing following an emotional situation 
  • Dealing with Litigation Stress Syndrome -  Sandy Tunajek, CRNA, DNP writes, "You are stunned, bewildered, and disoriented.  As with any traumatic event, the initial response of most people is disbelief and denial.  You cannot believe it is happening to you!  The experience of being sued is unexpected, overwhelming, and difficult to process.  And, it often cascades into reaction known as malpractice litigation stress syndrome."

Related AANA Health and Wellness links:  Wellness in the Workplace or Emotional and Mental Well-Being

Note: Links to external sites are provided as a convenience and do not imply endorsement.  AANA Health and Wellness is not responsible for any content on these websites but hopes they help support your well-being.