ED Legal Letter – October 1, 2015
October 1, 2015
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Apology Laws: Better Read the Fine Print
Not all apologies are equal. Many statutes don't offer protection from admission of fault and are merely expressions of sympathy.
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Is EP ‘Over-documenting’ with EMRs? Malpractice Defense Will Be Difficult
Otherwise defensible claims against EPs are being settled.
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Bad Outcome in ‘Boarded’ ED Patient? Reduce Likelihood of EP’s Liability
Poor communication is often root of claims.
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Length-of-Stay Benchmarks Linked to Fewer Adverse Events
EDs with a higher percentage of patients meeting length-of-stay benchmarks on a given shift had lower rates of adverse events, according to a recent study.
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Did ED Patient Refuse Admission? This Documentation Is Essential
If the patient refused admission and a bad outcome occurs, the plaintiff’s attorney will likely allege the EP was negligent for failing to insist on the patient being admitted, and that the EP should have protected the patient against the patient’s own bad judgment.