CANDOR
Improving Patient Safety with Straightforward Communications
Communication and Optimal Resolution (CANDOR) is a process used by healthcare facilities and healthcare professionals to quickly respond to and resolve adverse events. The CANDOR process has been shown to improve patient safety, better support the healthcare team members involved in the event, and decrease malpractice claims.
The CANDOR model is intended to improve patient safety and transparency by promoting open and clear communication between a patient and/or their family and their healthcare provider about what occurred and what is being done to ensure it does not happen again. Healthcare providers should be able to have an open and honest communication with their patient without the fear that doing so will expose them to additional civil liability.
The MMA worked closely with the Minnesota Association for Justice (MAJ) during the 2023 legislative session to develop Minnesota’s Communication and Resolution After a Health Care Adverse Incident legislation. The legislation took effect on August 1, 2023.
The Communication and Resolution After a Health Care Adverse Incident legislation creates a voluntary process whereby all communications, offers of compensation, and other materials that are prepared for a CANDOR discussion are protected from being admissible as evidence in a lawsuit, subject to few exceptions. For additional information on the CANDOR model, the 2023 legislation, or sample documents to be used for a CANDOR discussion, please see the resources listed below. For more information, please contact the MMA.