Second victim

Background

• Second victims are healthcare providers in the midst of a medical mistake or error and become victimized because of their role.

• University of Missouri Health canter found almost 1in 7 staff reported experiencing a patient safety event resulting in personal disturbed emotions.

Clinical Features

• Immediate.

*Stress related psychological and physical reactions:
 *Sadness, Fear, shame and anger
 *Panicking, horrified and apprehensive.
 *Sympathomimetic reaction with tachypnea, tachycardia, elevated blood pressure and difficulty concentrating.
 *Lonliness and fear of being called names and losing job.

• Subsequent.

*Fear of returning to work.
 *Loss of confidence.
 *Self doubt, remorse.
 *Hypervigilence, second guessing everything.

• Ongoing till resolved.

*Characteristics of PTSD (inability to process the feeling of fear, sadness, guilt and shame).
* Resulting in:
 *Insomnia, flashbacks and thoughts of suicide.
 *Damaged self perception.
 *Loss of self security.