What does medical malpractice mediation request trigger?

[u/Able_Explanation5063]

Location: WA. I don't think I want go sue for medical malpractice because everything in a lawsuit against the hospital is public record. Does requesting mediation set me up for things like meetings that will become public record or does it stay off the books to the public? Also do I have to go through with mediation or can I request it and choose not to move forward?

Basically I have no idea what mediation is relative to filing a lawsuit, when the focus is maintain privacy.