New research shows Oregon patients expect transparency and apology after medical harm

Health system and provider response impacts patient trust and satisfaction

PORTLAND, Ore., Sept. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly one in three Oregonians has had experience with medical harm in the last five years; however, fewer than half were informed of the error by their health system or provider, according to new research from the Oregon Patient Safety Commission. 

The study, done in partnership with independent research firm DHM, is the first comprehensive review of post-pandemic patient safety data in Oregon. It shows that when medical harm occurs, a provider's response, or lack thereof, can have a lasting impact on a patient and their loved ones long after the harm event.

Notable findings include:

• More than 9 in 10 Oregonians agree that healthcare providers should be required to tell patients if a medical error is made during their care.
• Oregonians who experience medical harm want to be informed right away about what happened and want an apology; however, only 1 in 3 are given both.
• Oregonians were less likely to get an apology if their medical harm resulted in more serious health consequences.
• Nearly 4 in 10 said they would want a response after medical harm to include information about what was being done to prevent the error from happening again. 
• Oregonians remain confident in their individual and community-level providers overall.

"The combination of transparency and apology after medical harm is what patients want and expect," said OPSC Director of Programs TJ Sheehy. "And while this can be challenging in practice, other studies show that providers do want to disclose when harm has occurred."

"We can't fix what we don't know about. Real progress requires the courage to look hard at this data, listen to patients, and implement change at a systems level," said OPSC Executive Director Valerie Harmon.

OPSC supports this structural change through its two programs—Early Discussion and Resolution (EDR) and the Patient Safety Reporting Program (PSRP)—both of which encourage shared learning to collectively improve system and provider response to medical harm events.

"Medical harm isn't unique to Oregon patients, but we are fortunate to have the tools to help support a better response for patients and their loved ones after harm occurs," Harmon said.

Read the full report at oregonpatientsafety.org/public-perception-med-harm-2025.

The Oregon Patient Safety Commission (OPSC) is a non-regulatory, semi-independent state agency supporting improved patient safety across the state. The OPSC aims to help reduce the risk of serious adverse events occurring in Oregon's healthcare system and encourage a culture of patient safety in Oregon. Learn more at www.OregonPatientSafety.org.

SOURCE Oregon Patient Safety Commission