Healthcare Risk Management – October 1, 2022

Active Shooter Risks Require Prevention, Response Plans

Active shooters can threaten people in virtually any place or situation, but healthcare facilities may be uniquely at risk because they are open to the public and frequently experience violence from patients and others. Hospitals and other facilities should create an active shooter program that reduces the risk as much as possible and includes a response plan.

Technology Helps with Active Shooter Prevention and Response

Technological options may help reduce the risk from active shooters. Technology is available to monitor people and predict dangerous behavior, and it can help during the incident response.

Say What You Mean: Imprecise Language Can Lead to Medical Errors

Imprecise language during surgery can threaten patient safety. Research indicates comments and instructions during surgery often are subject to misunderstanding.

Wrong-Site Surgery Still a Problem, Requires Vigilance

Despite many years of intense education and attention to prevention efforts, wrong-site surgery is on the rise. Hospitals and health systems must make sure their wrong-site prevention efforts have not weakened.

Better Recruitment Can Improve Safety During Staff Shortages

As staff shortages threaten patient safety, hospitals and health systems are eager to bring more clinicians on board. But this is becoming harder, especially for the most desired candidates. Improving the application and hiring process can improve patient safety.

OIG Issues Alert on Telemedicine Fraud

The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General recently issued a Special Fraud Alert on arrangements with telemedicine companies, describing seven characteristics that could suggest a risk of fraud and abuse.

Appellate Court Affirms $806k Verdict for Failure to Treat Psychotic Symptoms, Suicide Attempt

Important substantive and procedural lessons can be learned from this case. First and foremost, the jury’s significant award was based on the defendant’s failure to provide treatment.

No Liability for Telemedicine Company or Hospital Over Stroke Treatment

This case confirms the importance of timely treatment and how providers can defend against claims of failure to provide such treatment. Frequently, a patient’s condition requires time-sensitive treatment, and the failure to do so may constitute medical malpractice if a similar physician under such circumstances would provide that timely care.