Veterinary Patient Safety Forum

This mini-series explores the connection between veterinary error and identity, examining how error narratives shape who vets become and their feelings about mistakes. It also discusses practical strategies for supporting vets in recovering from difficult experiences, drawing on findings from an empirical study into veterinary identities.

This article advocates for learning from both successes and failures to improve patient safety, emphasizing a proactive "Safety II" approach that examines current methods and celebrates excellence rather than solely reacting to errors. It highlights the importance of understanding the gap between intended and actual work, fostering a just culture, and adopting a growth mindset to continuously assess and enhance patient safety.

Dan Tipney explains the concept of second victimhood and how a Restorative Just Culture can support everyone affected by an adverse event or unexpected outcome.