AHRQ-HRET toolkit helps hospitals implement CANDOR process

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality today released a toolkit prepared by the AHA’s Health Research & Educational Trust affiliate to help hospital leaders and clinicians communicate accurately and openly with patients and families when something goes wrong with their care. The customizable toolkit uses an AHRQ-developed communication and resolution process called Communication and Optimal Resolution, or CANDOR. "Every day in American hospitals, countless doctors, nurses and other caregivers perform miracles for patients,” said AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack. “And while one incident is one too many, sometimes errors occur. This toolkit helps everyone involved – patients, families, clinicians and administrators – discuss what happened, agree on a resolution and make care safer in the long run."