Healthcare Risk Management – January 1, 2007
January 1, 2007
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Wide-scale suicide assessments needed to avoid tragedy and significant liability
Patient suicides don't just happen on locked psychiatric wards. They can happen in your emergency department, your critical care unit, or virtually any area of any health care facility. -
Suicide check requires diligence from clinicians
As much as risk managers may worry about the risk of patient suicide, they have to trust that the frontline clinicians are sufficiently skilled and dedicated to spotting patients at risk. -
NQF updates list of safe practices, urges disclosure
Risk managers who have been pushing for more full disclosure of adverse events now have more backing and can argue that informing patients is a significant step closer to being considered the standard of care. -
Nurses resist sharps program if not consulted
Most risk managers have attempted to reduce needlesticks and the associated costs, and there is no shortage of strategies and devices to aid in the effort. -
Study: Needlestick injuries still a major concern
A new study from Inviro Medical, an Atlanta-based maker of needlestick prevention devices, reveals that needlestick injuries affect the vast majority of nurses, and nearly half (47%) said they had been stuck by a contaminated needle. -
Doctors who err are prone to burnout, more mistakes
If a physician makes a significant error, it may be a good idea to keep an eye on him or her and watch for signs of serious burnout and more mistakes to come. -
Cost of adverse events borne by provider
Improving patient safety can have a direct effect on the bottom line, according to a new report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). -
Legal Review and Commentary: Failure to diagnose large pleural abscess leads to $227,500 verdict
A middle-aged woman went to the emergency department complaining of abdominal pains. After testing and evaluation indicated intestinal inflammation and a possible abdominal cyst along with diverticular disease, the hospital began the patient on a course of antibiotic therapy. -
Legal Review and Commentary: OR fire breaks out, leads to $450,000 settlement
A man underwent surgery following a heart attack. During the procedure, the seal on the oxygen tube inserted in the patient's throat broke, causing the oxygen to catch on fire. -
Patient Safety Alert