This study presented a medication error scenario to a group of recently discharged patients and discovered that patients viewed the error less favorably in association with a slow hospital response, a lack of disclosure, and the presence of serious health effects. Using a mailed questionnaire, investigators achieved a 70% response rate from eligible patients, providing more than 1200 evaluations of the scenario. The three primary findings noted above appeared additive and, in particular, the finding that slow and ineffective handling of the error by health care staff produced a more negative response independent of disclosure. A past study similarly discussed patient and physician attitudes regarding the disclosure of medical errors.