Healthcare Risk Management 2013-09-01

Choose your words carefully with patients to reduce liability, improve safety

In addition to being part of good patient care, communicating clearly and effectively can reduce the chance of a patient seeking legal action. Better communication also improves safety and helps to avoid adverse events.

Engage family members in crucial conversations

Anyone facing a hospital stay probably has heard the advice: Take someone with you to lend support, ask questions, and serve as a care partner and advocate.

Variety of overhead pages can pose safety risk

Overhead pages are a common sound in any hospital, but no one seems to use the same terminology or codes.

Manage risks of electronic records to avoid liability

Electronic records bring additional risks that must be managed.

Health system, doctors accused of kickbacks, DOJ sues

Cardiologists and the Infirmary Health System in Mobile, AL, needlessly exposed patients to radiation in a kickback scheme that lasted nine years and cost Medicare, Medicaid, and Tricare an estimated $522 million, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

OTC med blamed in lawsuit against children’s hospital

A judge recently awarded the family of an 8-year-old girl from Snoqualmie, WA, $15.2 million

Mobile devices pose breach risk, action needed

Many healthcare organizations are not taking the necessary steps to protect sensitive data on mobile devices and in the cloud.

Researcher’s travel expenses cited in $2.93 million settlement

LRC: Second largest verdict in NY state history awarded to family of girl for negligent delivery by local hospital

A jury in Suffolk County, NY, recently handed down the second largest malpractice verdict in the states history.

LRC: $17.5 million awarded to family of teenager for hospital’s improper administration of anesthesia

A DeKalb County jury awarded the family of a gunshot victim $17 million.

Healthcare Risk Management – September 1, 2013

September 1, 2013