Programs > Communication, Apology and Resolution (CARe)
CARe is a model for more quickly, fairly, and compassionately meeting the needs of patients who have been harmed during procedures or treatments.
Improve patient safety, reduce costs and enhance fairness and transparency
CARe is an alternative to costly and emotionally painful lawsuits after a medical injury. Whether or not litigation is involved, it can help patients and families in the aftermath of medical harm events — and advance patient safety as health care organizations learn from these events.
How it works
Health care organizations commit to prompt, empathetic, and transparent communication with patients and families after an adverse event and support for clinicians in disclosing these unexpected outcomes to patients.
Health care organizations investigate the event and try to determine the causes. The goal is to institute new systems or practices to prevent the same thing from happening to other patients.
If the event was preventable, patients and families are offered a sincere apology and financial compensation.
Related resources
For patients and families
List of FAQs, a directory of attorneys committed to CARe, and additional resources for patients
For providers
Information about CARe for clinicians and administrators in facilities that have adopted this model
For attorneys
Best practices for representing patients using the CARe model
Resource library
Comprehensive database of guidelines, tools, research, and other resources
CARe forums
Videos, slides and other materials from annual CARe Forums
Members
List of advisory board members and participating groups