Health Policy Manag.  2015 Sep;25(3):174-184. 10.4332/KJHPA.2015.25.3.174.

A Legal Framework for Improving Patient Safety in Korea

• Ock M
• Kim JH
• Lee SI

• KMID: 2165249
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4332/KJHPA.2015.25.3.174

Abstract

This paper reviewed structure and current status of laws related to patient safety using patient safety law matrix to promote systematic approach in legal system of patient safety. Laws related to patient safety can be divided into three areas: laws for preventing; laws for knowing about; and laws for responding. In the case of Korea, gaps are especially prominent in the areas of laws for knowing about and responding. Patient safety law which will be enacted in July 2016 will fill the gap in the area of laws for knowing about. This law will be comprehensive law, covering the full spectrum of laws related to patient safety. However, after reviewing current patient safety law in Korea, the following drawbacks were identified: absence of code for grasping the current patient safety level; absence of code for mandatory reporting in patient safety reporting system; and absence of code for privilege about patient safety work product. Furthermore we need wider discussions about covering issues of open disclosure, apology law, coroners system, and complaint management system in patient safety law.

Keyword

Patient safety; Hospital incident reporting; Patient safety law

MeSH Terms

Coroners and Medical Examiners
Disclosure
Hand Strength
Humans
Jurisprudence
Korea*
Mandatory Reporting
Patient Safety*
Risk Management