Open disclosure

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What is open disclosure?

Open Disclosure is the open discussion of an incident that results in harm (or might result in future harm) to a patient while receiving health care.¹

The objectives of the WA Open Disclosure Policy: Communication and Disclosure Requirements for Health Professionals Working in Western Australia are to:

Establish a standardised approach for health practitioners working in WA hospitals/health services, to communicate with the patient and/or their nominated relatives/carers after a clinical incident.
Ensure that communication with, and support for all affected patients and staff, occurs in a supportive and timely manner.

All WA public hospitals/health services practising open disclosure will do so in accordance with the following key principles, which are outlined in further detail in the WA Open Disclosure Policy:

Expression of regret
Disclosure of a clinical incident to a patient
Staff support and training
Incompetent adults and minors support
Patient support
Clinical governance
Confidentiality
Fairness

The WA Open Disclosure Policy outlines the processes that health practitioners and hospitals/health services in WA are to follow when informing a patient and/or their nominated relatives/carers about a clinical incident that has occurred in a WA public hospital/health service.

Compliance with the WA Open Disclosure Policy is mandatory.

Policy

Reports

WA Open Disclosure Pilot Project Evaluation (PDF 356KB)

¹ Australian Council for Safety and Quality in Health Care. Open Disclosure Standard: A national standard for open communication in public and private hospitals, following an adverse event in health care 2003. www.safetyandquality.health.wa.gov.au

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