Physician Risk Management – February 1, 2014
February 1, 2014
View Issues
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'Anchoring' errors lead to misdiagnoses and many successful malpractice claims
Successful malpractice suits are resulting from "anchoring," which is a cognitive error that occurs when a physician latches on to the first diagnosis that comes to mind. -
Cognitive errors: They're the 'new frontier' in safety
Understanding how cognitive errors and biases can result in misdiagnoses and patient harm is the "new frontier" in patient safety. -
Claims alleging patient wasn't told of radiology study findings
Missed diagnosis on radiologic studies is a common area of liability, with claims often alleging the patient wasn't informed of positive findings. -
Med/mal claims costs are surprisingly stable for 2014 — Claims against internal medicine doctors rising
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More MDs insured by hospital programs — Risk management practices being standardized
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Med/mal claims are alleging failure to prevent or treat DVT
Claims involving deep vein thrombosis typically allege that physicians ordered insufficient prophylaxis or otherwise failed to prevent the condition. -
These practices put MDs at risks for missed DVT claims
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This documentation made missed PE claim very defensible
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Incomplete care linked to failure-to-diagnose claims
Changes resulting from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) make it especially important for physicians to ensure patients receive continuity of care for acute and chronic conditions. -
Avoid suits by involving patients in their care
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Compliance with billing rules likely to come up in suits — Newly required documentation can help defense
New Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rules for justifying assigning inpatient status to a patient require physicians to document why inpatient admission is necessary and why they anticipate a stay of at least two consecutive midnights. -
New CMS rules could make MDs less likely to admit 'Robust' documentation needed to support decision
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LRC: Failure to follow up on coronary artery perforation results in $5.68 million verdict from jury
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LRC: Mother and child awarded $4 million in birth injury suit