Barriers to Accurate Blood Pressure Measurement in the Medical Office.

Background: Despite the high prevalence of blood pressure (BP) measurement errors in the outpatient setting, little is known about why primary care clinics struggle to achieve consistently accurate BP measurements in routine practice. We investigated barriers affecting measurement of BP for adult patients in primary care.

Methods: We conducted a qualitative evaluation in 6 adult primary care clinics.

Long-Term Impacts Faced by Patients and Families After Harmful Healthcare Events.

Background: Patients and families report experiencing a multitude of harms from medical errors resulting in physical, emotional, and financial hardships. Little is known about the duration and nature of these harms and the type of support needed to promote patient and family healing after such events. We sought to describe the long-term impacts (LTIs) reported by patients and family members who experienced harmful medical events 5 or more years ago.

Improving Communication and Resolution Following Adverse Events Using a Patient-Created Simulation Exercise.

Objective: The response to adverse events can lack patient-centeredness, perhaps because the involved institutions and other stakeholders misunderstand what patients and families go through after care breakdowns.

Study Setting: Washington and Texas.

Study Design: The HealthPact Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) created and led a five-stage simulation exercise to help stakeholders understand what patients experience following an adverse event.