Articles Tagged With:
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Suicide Risk in ED: Thorough Assessment Derails Litigation
A key component of evaluation of a psychiatric patient, especially in the ED, is an assessment of danger to self and others.
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Legal Protections of AMA Form Only Go So Far if ED Patient Refuses Admission
The use of a properly executed AMA/informed refusal form can create protection from future liability by clearly demonstrating that the patient understands the EP’s medical decision-making, creating the affirmative defense of “assumption of risk,” and establishing a record of evidence of the patient’s refusal of care.
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Outcome of Discharged Patients a ‘Concerning Blind Spot’
Did a terrible outcome occur minutes, hours, or days after an ED visit? The timing complicates the defense of a subsequent malpractice claim for multiple reasons.
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Plaintiffs Prevailing in Incidental Findings Claims
Experts recommend EDs should address how to prevent an important incidental finding from falling through the cracks in the communications between the ED and radiology. One approach is to ensure that all imaging reports, consultations, and other pertinent information are emailed to the patient’s primary care physician. This could serve as an opportunity to catch something that might otherwise be missed, thereby reducing the risk of harm to the patient and the risk of litigation.
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Determining the Reliability of a Triage Tool in Med/Mal Litigation
Many ED malpractice claims allege a patient was mistriaged. But what if the plaintiff attorney takes things a step further and claims that the tool used to triage patients was unreliable?
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Cyber Security for Devices Improves Safety
Medical devices can pose a serious threat to patient safety and protected health information if they are compromised by hackers, and hospital leaders should not trust that the manufacturer has adequately protected them, say experts in the field. -
Some States Provide Funding When SDOH Used to Improve Quality
Some states are willing to financially support the use of social determinants of health (SDOH) to address health issues affecting the community. -
Health Information Exchange Takes SDOH Forward for California System
Social determinants of health (SDOH) are deeply integrated with clinical care at San Mateo County Health in San Mateo, CA, says Eric Raffin, FACHE, CHCIO, chief information officer. The county has about 130,000 Medi-Cal recipients, well over 10% of the population. -
Hospitals Take SDOH Beyond Theory, Put Data to Use
The healthcare community is gradually accepting that social determinants of health (SDOH) can improve quality of care. Finding a way to apply the data can be difficult, but several hospitals and health systems are showing how it can be done. -
How to Deal With the Disruptive, Difficult Physician
Employee health professionals assessing their work culture can point to difficult and disruptive staff, sometimes entire units.