EPMG reaches beyond the emergency department to assist families who experience unexpected death or outcomes

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Oct. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Emergency department patients and/or family members who experience an unexpected death or unexpected clinical outcome have difficulty understanding and coping with the event.  The Next Step Program provides outreach and support to emergency department patients and/or their family members after an unexpected outcome by offering a chance to meet with a team of emergency department doctors and nursing staff as well as a social worker to review the case and to address any unanswered questions.  Team members listen to the patient's and/or family member's concerns and offer compassionate support. 

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A critical element of the program's success is the support, commitment, and involvement of hospital administration, risk, legal, and clinical staff.   EPMG offers the Next Step Program at several hospital sites with plans to expand the program in 2013. 

Mike Mikhail, MD, FACEP, Chairman of the Board of EPMG and creator of the Next Step Program, describes the impetus of the program, "I received a letter from the spouse of a patient who died in the emergency department.  She expressed her confusion and frustration about not fully understanding what happened.  I offered to meet with her and from that point forward I was committed to offering patients and/or their family members the opportunity for open communication and information sharing." 

About Emergency Physicians Medical Group

EPMG is a hospital-based clinical partner that combines top physicians dedicated to patient care, being the finest support team available, and proven future-ready systems to ensure that every patient receives the most compassionate care and that they experience the best possible outcome.  EPMG offers a full range of emergency department management and clinical services for the hospitals they serve. Excellent physician leadership, quality improvement, innovation through award-winning programs and services, engagement of their clinicians through a partnership program, and expansive growth within the hospitals and systems they serve is what sets them apart. Learn more at www.epmgpc.com

SOURCE Emergency Physicians Medical Group