Healthcare Risk Management 2015-08-01

When does a hospital’s apology switch to being manipulation?

Risk managers have largely embraced the idea of apologizing after an adverse event and communicating fully with the patient or family members, in no small part because this approach has been proven to reduce malpractice costs. It just seems like the right thing to do and promotes a positive image of the hospital.

Warning! The Phone has Ears

Patients often record encounters with clinicians, usually so they can review medication instructions. But here's the downside.

Anesthesiologist ordered to pay $500,000 after patient’s smartphone records insults

After a three-day trial, a Fairfax County, VA, jury ordered an anesthesiologist and her practice to pay a patient $500,000 for disparaging remarks made during surgery and a false diagnosis on his chart. The man might never have known about the offenses if he had not accidentally recorded the encounter on his smartphone.

Revamped RRT and early warning system improves safety at pediatric hospital

A pediatric hospital reports improved patient safety from an early warning system that helps identify patients most at risk for a gradual but severe decline toward being critically ill.

RCAs become RCA2s under new NPSF guidelines

<> Analysis is good, but acting on that information is what really makes a difference. That’s the message from the National Patient Safety Foundation, which revised its guidelines for conducting a root cause analysis.

Never events usually are traced to multiple human factors, not just a root cause

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic confirm what many risk managers note from their own root cause analyses: Most never events can be traced back to human factors rather than just a root cause.

OSHA promises closer scrutiny of staff injuries

OSHA is cracking down on injuries to nurses and other healthcare staff members.

243 people arrested for $712 million in false billing

In a case involving the most defendants charged and largest alleged loss amount in the history of the federal fraud task force, a nationwide sweep has led to charges against 243 individuals, including 46 doctors, nurses, and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in Medicare fraud schemes involving approximately $712 million in false billings.

Study: Aggressive med mal increases LOS and costs

Patients who undergo spine surgery in a community known to be an aggressive malpractice environment are likely to be hospitalized longer and incur higher charges, according to a study published recently in The Spine Journal.

Hospitals sued over claims they limited marketing

The DOJ sued four hospital systems that it says for years unlawfully agreed to allocate territories for marketing, which it says denied consumers and physicians important information about competing providers and other benefits of unfettered competition.

Failure to update a patient’s EHRs leads to $35.4 million verdict against hospital

In 2004, a female Boston Marathon runner became dizzy after completing the race. The dizziness became so severe that the woman went to the hospital seeking treatment.

Decision not to operate on 2-year-old results in death and $6.25 million jury award

A 2-year-old girl died after her stomach ruptured from a recurring and treatable symptom. The girl had stomach issues in July 2009. After being sent to a second hospital, an examination of the gastrointestinal tract revealed the girl suffered from gastric volvulus, which can cause the stomach to twist on its axis.

Healthcare Risk Management – August 1, 2015

August 1, 2015