PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Gutheil, Thomas G.
TI  - Commentary: Systems, Sensitivity, and “Sorry”
DP  - 2006 Jan 01
TA  - Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online
PG  - 101--102
VI  - 34
IP  - 1
4099  - http://jaapl.org/content/34/1/101.short
4100  - http://jaapl.org/content/34/1/101.full
SO  - J Am Acad Psychiatry Law2006 Jan 01; 34
AB  - This commentary first addresses the moral atmosphere necessary for a systems view of adverse outcomes and discusses the theory of accidents. Patients suffering adverse outcomes are described as needing acknowledgment, remorse, and remedy. Apologizing and informing patients or families about what actually happened are important risk management approaches.