Compliance
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Slip and Fall Prevention Different for Employees Than Patients
Risk managers always address fall prevention with patients, but do employees get enough attention? Healthcare employees are at risk of falls every day, and the tactics that work best with patients may not be the most effective when preventing potential workers’ compensation claims.
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Counselors and Therapists Face Special Liability Risks
Counselors face substantial liability risks that may not receive as much attention as other healthcare professionals, and the exposure may be increasing. The authors of a closed claim report found that $7.8 million was paid for counselor malpractice claims over a five-year period. The Counselor Liability 2019 Claim Report found that $8 million was paid during the previous 10 years.
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‘I’m Sorry’ Legislation Not Showing Anticipated Results
The “I’m Sorry” movement has gained steam in the last few years. Risk managers have been encouraging physicians to show their regret and concern with patients after adverse events — not only because it is the right thing to do, but also in hopes of reducing potential liability. Thirty-six states passed apology laws, according to the Sorry Works! organization, which has promoted apologies after adverse events. But after years of trying that approach, is it really working out that way? Not necessarily, although that does not mean the apology approach is not worthwhile.
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Federal Healthcare Violence Bill May Get House Vote
A federal bill (HR-139) that would require an OSHA standard to prevent violence in healthcare passed the House Committee on Education and Labor, clearing the way for a possible vote by the full House.The Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act was approved by the committee on June 11, 2019.
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A Case Manager’s Guide to Malpractice Prevention
Meticulous documentation, education on compliance issues, and clear communication can help mitigate a case manager's risk of facing malpractice.
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Case Managers Should Be Aware of Fraud and Abuse Laws
Hundreds of healthcare providers are investigated and fined or reach settlements with the federal government each year under federal fraud, abuse, and kickback statutes. Federal investigators have pursued hospital case managers, as well as physicians and other providers.
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Patient Who Sustained Permanent Brain Damage After Asthma Attack Awarded $110 Million
This medical malpractice action focused on whether the defendant physicians’ decision not to transfer the patient, who could have received different treatment at a better-equipped facility, constituted a breach of the applicable standard of care.
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Hospital and Physicians Liable in Case of Woman Who Died Hours After Giving Birth
The primary lesson in this case is for physicians and care providers to take into account a patient’s specific medical history and medical conditions when determining the proper level of care and appropriate treatment for the patient.
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Leapfrog Sees Improvements in Patient Safety
Poor hospital performance on 16 patient safety measures causes more than 161,000 deaths annually, according to a recent report from the Leapfrog Group and Johns Hopkins — but that is a decrease from 2016 figures.