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.[1]
Clinical Features
*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.
*Fear of returning to work.
*Loss of confidence.
*Self doubt, remorse.
*Hypervigilence, second guessing everything.
*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.
Differential Diagnosis
Evaluation
Management
Disposition
See Also
External Links
References
- ↑ Scott SD. The "second victim" phenomenon: a harsh reality of health care professions. AHRQ; WebM&M Perspectives on Safety; May 2011.
