In this week’s Must Reads, we feature a guest post by Betsy Cohen, a Certified and Licensed Rehabilitation Counselor about her management program for medical errors. On the web, we focused on some great dialogue around cooperation across multiple stakeholders to ensure the safe use of opioids.
From PPAHS
Improving the Management of Medical Error

The utopian goal is zero medical errors; but what do we do after one occurs? This week’s contributor, Betsy M. Cohen – a Certified and Licensed Rehabilitation Counselor – shares her first-hand encounter with medical errors. Her life-changing experience three years ago led to the development of a management program involving both patients and doctors: the #ACFC model. Apologize, Communicate, Forgive, and Change.
Is the Surgeon General Right About How to Combat the Opioid Epidemic?
More of a to-do rather than a must-read. We want to know your opinions on the Surgeon General’s recent letter to physicians regarding the opioid epidemic. It’s a short 3 minute questionnaire – complete the survey here.
Not a fan of surveys? Let us know that, a well as your thoughts on the Surgeon General’s letter, in the comments below or on Twitter.
From Around the Web
The Opioid Abuse Crisis Is A Rare Area Of Bipartisan Consensus
Patient safety is a universal concern. HealthAffairs writes about the unique bipartisan consensus in the current debate around the U.S.’s response to the use of opioids. It’s a great analysis on current party lines regarding legislation, as well as a look into the cultural drivers of this common ground. Read the full article here.
Deloitte: Fighting the Opioid Crisis
For authors Kevin Bingham, Terri Cooper, PhD, and Lindsay Musser Hough, the answer to the opioid crisis depends upon more than cooperation between government and physicians. They present an ecosystem approach to problem solving that incorporates a broad network of stakeholders that are affected by opioids. It’s a thought-provoking article that, while topical in today’s opioid discussion, can be applied to many issues in patient safety. Read the article here.
Nurses Step In To Fill Shortage of Doctors Treating Opioid Addiction
Nurses are one such stakeholder group that plays a key part in managing the affect of opioids. Side Effects Public Media reports on and initiative by Boston Medical Center to empower registered nurses to manage and administer addiction medication, freeing doctor time. Read the article here.