Addressing Adverse Events: Insights from Health Managers and Strategies to Support Second Victims, in Healthcare Institutions

Abstract

Introduction: The second victims are the healthcare professionals involved in an unexpected adverse event in patient care. Aims: To apprehend the perception of healthcare managers regarding the assumptions related to the second victim and understand the strategies adopted by healthcare managers for the support and assistance of the second victim. Study Design:  This is qualitative research. Place and Duration of Study: It was conducted in a healthcare institution in the southeastern region of São Paulo, Brazil over a period of two months. Methodology: The 12 participants were managerial professionals of the institution who responded to a semi-structured interview. The information was analyzed according to Bardin's theoretical framework. Results: The group of participants consists of managers with different levels of experience, contributing to a diversity of experiences in the field of work, with 83.33% having more than 10 years of professional training. The following categories were apprehended: Safety culture and professional practice, Management and the practice of support, and Healthcare managers and competencies in approaching the second victim. The study highlighted that the second victim management process depends on defining roles and proactive attitudes, involving managers and healthcare professionals, as well as preparing professionals to enhance patient safety and provide appropriate attention to the second victim. Conclusions: The results suggest, based on the meanings that were apprehended, that the experience of being actors involved in patient safety and adverse events related to the second victim is still in its early stages, and there are paradigms to be shattered and different concepts to be reflected upon. In addition, the institution should prepare its managers and senior management professionals to be welcoming, through continuing education.