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Court Upholds Record $207 Million Malpractice Verdict
In July 2025, an appellate court unanimously affirmed a record-breaking medical malpractice judgment of $207 million against a hospital for catastrophic birth injuries. The case involved a newborn who sustained severe brain damage leading to cerebral palsy and profound lifelong disabilities after a mishandled delivery at the hospital. A jury had awarded $183 million (later increased to $207 million with delay damages) for the child’s future care needs and pain and suffering. On appeal, the hospital argued that the verdict was exorbitant and unsupported, but the appellate court held that the award did not “shock the conscience” in light of the trial evidence.
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Jury Awards $20 Million in Fatal Surgery Malpractice Case
A jury awarded $20 million to the estate of a 68-year-old patient who died following what was supposed to be a routine abdominal surgery. The three-week trial revealed that the patient experienced internal bleeding during a sigmoid colon resection, but neither the hospital’s surgeons nor the anesthesia group recognized or adequately responded to it. By the time action was taken, the patient had entered hemorrhagic shock and could not be revived.
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Spouse and Family Access to PHI Often Disputed
As long as HIPAA has been around, one of the most contentious issues has been whether spouses, partners, other family, or friends can receive information about a patient — or whether non-healthcare entities can discuss someone’s health. Healthcare providers often misinterpret HIPAA requirements in this area, either being overly restrictive or releasing protected health information improperly.
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Know When to Settle and When to Fight
With any medical malpractice case, or other lawsuit, the healthcare organization always comes to a decision point about whether to settle or fight the claim in court. Thinking ahead about how to make that decision can help you make the right choice when the time comes.
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Staying Compliant Can Be Challenging in 2025
Compliance is always a main concern for healthcare leaders, but some periods can be more challenging than others. Different federal administrations address compliance in different ways, and it is important to understand their particular areas of focus.
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Drug Diversion Still a Serious Compliance, Patient Safety Issue
Drug diversion remains as big a problem in healthcare organizations as ever, threatening the safety of patients and quality of care provided by impaired clinicians. Addressing the problem will require a comprehensive effort from risk managers and medical leaders.
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Influenza and Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy in Children
Of 41 U.S. pediatric patients with influenza-associated acute necrotizing encephalitis, 56% were female, the median age was 5 years, and 12% had underlying complex medical conditions. Influenza A accounted for 95% of cases. Despite the use of a variety of immunomodulating agents, 27% of these children died, and 63% of the survivors were left with at least moderate disability.
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Updates on Cervical Cancer Prevention: Summary and Projected Effect
HPV vaccination and updated screening strategies offer OB/GYN providers powerful tools to prevent cervical cancer. Recent advances, risk-based management, and enhanced follow-up can provide targeted care for high-risk patients to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer while avoiding unnecessary procedures.
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Postoperative Antibiotics After Cesarean Delivery to Reduce SSI
This randomized, double-blind clinical trial including 321 women with a pre-pregnancy body mass index > 30 kg/m2 demonstrated no difference in surgical site infection composite between participants receiving oral cephalexin and metronidazole for 48 hours after cesarean delivery compared to placebo (5.6% vs. 6.8%; odds ratio, 0.80; 95% confidence interval, 0.33-2.22; P = 0.64).
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Adverse Outcomes in Women with a History of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
Women with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss are at significantly increased risk of adverse outcomes, including preeclampsia, placental abruption, cesarean delivery, preterm birth, stillbirth, and perinatal mortality.