ED Legal Letter – August 1, 2010
August 1, 2010
View Issues
-
Update on State Medical Malpractice Wars Part II of II
Last month's ED Legal Letter analyzed some recent tort reform court battles. This month, we review cases where physicians are suing state governments to stop them from pilfering the cash in patient malpractice compensation funds, and a few more cases litigating state and federal tort laws. -
What Are the Actual Legal Risks if You Did It, but Didn't Document?
This is the first of a two-part series on documentation and ED liability. This month, we explore the legal risks of inadequate documentation and information that should not be omitted. -
Does Your Charting Explain Your Medical Reasoning?
"This takes the longest to document," he says. "I might not remember every piece of history I asked, or every part of the physical exam that I did, even with computer guidance," he says. "But I spend most of my time on medical reasoning." -
These Items Can Prove Important in Lawsuits
"Many times, something as simple as a check mark as to whether the patient had anything to eat or drink while they were in the ED may become an important fact in the defense of a lawsuit," says Stimmel. Here are some of Stimmel's recommendations: -
Reduce Risks of Atypical Appendicitis Presentation
Though myocardial infarction is often a key area of focus when it comes to ED misdiagnoses and subsequent lawsuits, appendicitis is another common and serious misdiagnosis in the ED. -
Missed Appendicitis Cases Share Similar Features
There are many things that factor into missing a diagnosis of appendicitis, says William Sullivan, DO, JD, FACEP, director of emergency services at St. Mary's Hospital in Streator, IL.