Healthcare Risk Management
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Appellate Court Revives Lawsuit Against Hospital for Harvesting Organs Despite Objections
This case shows the standard of review for a plaintiff’s success on a claim of intentional infliction of emotional distress against a hospital.
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Abnormal Vitals Linked to Unanticipated Death After ED Discharge
More than half of 129 patients who died unexpectedly after they were discharged from EDs exhibited abnormal vital signs at the time. Each patient had presented to an urban academic ED between 2014 and 2017, and died within seven days after they went home. -
Nurses Risk Consequences for Spreading Misinformation
Risk managers may need to counsel nursing staff on how they could expose themselves to professional consequences if they spread health misinformation online, particularly with much attention on what people post regarding COVID-19. Nurses who post misinformation could be subject to disciplinary action from their nursing boards, in addition to other results. -
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. -
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.