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A Legal Framework for Improving Patient Safety in Korea

환자안전 관련 법의 구조와 현황

  • Ock, Minsu (Department of Preventive Medicine, Social Sciences, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Jang Han (Department of Medical Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Lee, Sang-il (Department of Preventive Medicine, Social Sciences, University of Ulsan College of Medicine)
  • 옥민수 (울산대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 김장한 (울산대학교 의과대학 인문사회의학교실) ;
  • 이상일 (울산대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실)
  • Received : 2015.07.14
  • Accepted : 2015.09.11
  • Published : 2015.09.30

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.

Keywords

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