Creating Healthy Work Environments for Second Victims of Adverse Events

Adverse events may cause a patient serious harm or death; the patient becomes the first victim of these events. The health care providers who become traumatized by the events are the second victims. These second victims experience feelings such as guilt, shame, sadness, and grief, which can lead to profound personal and professional consequences. An organizational culture of blame and a lack of support can intensify the provider’s suffering. Second victims, as they move through predictable stages of recovery, can be positively influenced by a supportive organizational culture and the compassionate actions of peers, managers, advanced practice nurses, educators, and senior leaders. The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Healthy Work Environment standards provide a framework for specific actions health care professionals should take to support colleagues during their recovery from adverse events.