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Growing Ethical Concerns on Group Harm in ‘Data-Centric’ Research
Data-centric research poses risks not only to individuals but also to identifiable groups. Experts urge institutional review boards and researchers to recognize potential group harms, implement community engagement, and ensure responsible data use to avoid stigmatization and social harm.
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Surrogate Decision-Makers’ Trust in Clinical Team Is Affected by Many Factors
Trust between surrogate decision-makers and intensive care unit teams is shaped by communication, empathy, and perceived competence. Breakdown of trust can hinder care decisions, while proactive, transparent engagement helps align treatment with patient values and reduces family conflict.
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Family Might Have Valid Reasons to Override Patient’s Advance Directive
Ethical conflicts often arise when families seek to override a patient’s advance directive. Ethicists guide clinicians through complex cases, weighing patient intent, medical changes, and best interests while addressing emotional and legal tensions around end-of-life care decisions.
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New Data Inform Decision-Making on Withdrawal of Life-Sustaining Therapy Timing
New research challenges assumptions about prognosis in severe traumatic brain injury cases, showing some patients recover well despite poor indicators. Ethicists emphasize caution and individualized decisions.
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Georgia Supreme Court Revives Vicarious Liability Claim
The Georgia Supreme Court has revived a vicarious liability claim in a medical malpractice lawsuit that raises important questions about the role of medical students and the legal responsibility of supervising physicians. The case stems from a surgical injury that occurred during a 2019 hysterectomy, in which a medical student under the supervision of two attending physicians allegedly caused harm by misplacing a surgical instrument.
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Trial Court’s ‘Confusing’ Instruction Did Not Doom Verdict, Appeals Court Says
A Georgia appellate court has reinstated a defense verdict in a closely watched medical malpractice case arising from complications following a total knee replacement. The case centered on a plaintiff who alleged that a surgeon failed to promptly diagnose and treat a postoperative infection in his left knee.
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Alternative Dispute Resolution Underused in Most Hospitals
Hospitals have been slow to make use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) agreements to avoid litigation and bring about more satisfactory conclusions to claims.
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Executive Protection May Need Review After CEO Killing
The shooting of Brian Thompson in December 2024 has brought attention to the security needs of healthcare executives, with some in the industry suggesting that organizations should devote resources to increased protection.
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How You Respond to Lawsuit Notices Makes the Difference
Receiving notice of a lawsuit can ruin any risk manager’s day, but how you respond can dictate the ultimate outcome. The best approach is to have a plan in place and execute it carefully once you receive the news.
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Homelessness Raises Unique Ethical Concerns on End-of-Life Care
Homelessness complicates end-of-life care because of isolation, surrogate scarcity, and structural barriers. Ethicists should collaborate with interprofessional teams to ensure respectful, context-aware care and advocate for inclusive policies addressing this vulnerable population’s needs.