Medical Crisis Management

A medical crisis typically involves an individual healthcare provider, practice, hospital, medical group, or medical establishment being put in a negative light for any number of things—such as a medical mistake or a patient privacy issue.

With the rising popularity of social media, these crises can quickly go public and tarnish the good reputation of an organization. While many medical organizations are prepared for a crisis, the outline below hits on key points on how to best address most crisis situations.

How to Handle a Medical Crisis:

Consult with an Attorney

If you are facing a legally sensitive issue, it will quickly become necessary to have legal counsel involved. A good communications firm should be willing and prepared to work side-by-side with lawyers during a crisis to ensure you have a good plan and approach for the court of law, and the court of public opinion.

Have the Right Team for the Job

In a medical crisis situation, you need a team that’s informed and prepared to take action. Your crisis management team should excel in critical thinking and problem-solving. They should be able to objectively examine the issue and prepare a plan. If you already have a crisis communications team in place, quickly open up the communication channels so that all members are updated. Having a team that can work together, shares the same goal, and can communicate well across all barriers is critical to properly manage a medical crisis situation.

Communicate Your Message to the Public

The crisis management team should spend time on how to share information with the public. If appropriate, your public messages could include an apology and a plan for how you will improve in the future. The messages you wish to send will vary depending on the situation. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced crisis management professional at your side.

Tucker/Hall has been in business for nearly 30 years and has managed many different types of crisis situations. Our expertise and numerous resources help ensure that your crisis will be managed appropriately and in a timely manner.

If you are looking for professional help or interference at any point in the crisis management process, please contact Darren Richards at 813.228.0652 or via email at drichards@tuckerhall.com to learn how to begin a relationship with Tucker/Hall.