The physician comes and, after examining T.C., believes she is experiencing some internal bleeding. He

Question

takes her back to surgery where he isolates an area where the sutures have broken and cauterizes the
affected vessels.

T.C. returns to the unit, and her condition is quickly stabilized. The next evening you over-
hear T.C. and her husband saying that they are very dissatisfied with the care provided by the physician.
They believe that he has mismanaged T.C.'s care. They are discussing getting an attorney. They ask you
what you think.
What do you do and why?

Answer 1

You sit down to communicate to them that you are willing to listen. Threats of legal action are based
on many issues. Anger and disappointment are among the most common. Many legal conflicts are
preventable and stem from two parties not communicating or understanding each other or from a
difference between expectations and actual outcomes, so promoting communication is a key role
at this point. Your role is to provide the best opportunity for the patient and the physician to work
through their differences.