Compliance
RSSArticles
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Control Factors That Influence Insurance Premiums
Insurance premiums are influenced by many factors. Some factors are out of the insured healthcare organization’s control, but hospitals can earn lower premiums by showing a concerted effort to improve patient safety and lower risk. -
Handoffs Shown to Improve Patient Safety
Handoffs are a crucial moment in a patient’s care, when poor communication can lead to errors and harm. Communication errors are a top cause of sentinel events in hospitals. -
Improving Patient Handoffs Helps Reduce Malpractice Claims
Patient handoffs affect safety, although it is possible malpractice risk is a downstream effect. A large study of malpractice claims revealed a direct relationship between the quality of patient handoffs and claims. -
Take the Right Steps to Speed Resolution of Malpractice Litigation
Steps taken in the early phase of malpractice litigation can significantly affect the length of the case, with the right moves resulting in a faster, cheaper resolution. On the other hand, missteps and oversights can draw out the case, costing more in legal fees and more on the eventual settlement. -
Take Stock of Your Cybersecurity on Data Privacy Day
Part of building patient trust is ensuring personal information remains private and protected.
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Appellate Court Reinstates Claims of Negligent Treatment Causing Permanent Disability
A three-judge appeals panel in Illinois reinstated claims by a patient with multiple sclerosis for her neurologist’s negligence in treating her disorder. The treatment caused the patient’s permanent disability. The trial court originally rejected the patient’s amended complaint. -
Use of Defective Laser Leads to $9.7 Million Verdict Against Hospital
This case shows the importance of informed consent in medical negligence cases and defines how strictly a court upholds the standard of care when informing a patient of the asserted risks of a procedure outside the scope of a doctor’s expertise. -
Stay Vigilant About Malpractice Risks with Telemedicine
The dramatic increase in the use of telemedicine is raising concerns about the potential for malpractice issues related to this form of caregiving, with some experts cautioning a wave of lawsuits could be on the way. Adherence to key principles of patient safety and risk management can reduce the risk. -
Protect Peer Review Privileges, or Risk Serious Consequences
A hospital’s peer review protection often prevents attorneys from potentially using damaging information in court, but that protection can be forfeited. To protect patient safety investigations, the most important thing is to follow the applicable federal or state peer review statute as strictly as possible. -
TJC, OSHA Expect Hospitals to Address Violence
The Joint Commission recently updated its standards for preventing and addressing violence in the healthcare workplace. OSHA's General Duty Clause requires employers to provide their employees with a place of employment that is “free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm.”