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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.”

Workplace Violence on the Rise; COVID-19 Partly to Blame

Always a challenging problem, workplace violence in healthcare settings has worsened recently as the many stresses of the pandemic push staff, managers, patients, and family members to the breaking point. Risk managers should review their workplace violence policies to ensure they clearly define workplace violence to include bullying, intimidation, and harassment.

Reporting Misdeeds: How and When to Use Disclosure Protocol

Once a risk manager realizes the organization may have violated laws or regulations, the best course of action might be to report the violation instead of hoping no one will discover it. Self-disclosure can offer many advantages that result in lesser penalties and other consequences. But it is important to know when to report and how to do it advantageously.

Gene Editing Is Popular, But Controversial, Research Area

Gene drive researchers aim to broadcast a consistent message, tell the truth from the beginning, and be transparent.

Artificial Intelligence Documentation Assistant Shows Promise for Healthcare Charting

Advocates are seeking relief for physicians overburdened with too many administrative tasks.

Feds Issue Warning on Cybersecurity Vulnerability

Insiders urge healthcare organizations to take immediate action to correct flaw.

Injury from Botched Hip Surgery ‘Speaks for Itself’ in Negligence Case

This case presents an interesting intersection between the facts and the law. Does the legal system compensate a patient who indisputably suffered a significant, permanent injury when an investigation cannot reveal how the injury occurred? This is where the legal doctrine of res ipsa loquitor becomes involved.

Failure to Screen for Cancer, Hepatitis C Leads to $2.7 Million Verdict

This case illustrates the importance of risk factors in setting the standard of care for medical screenings and testing. Discussing a patient’s history and background, including the patient’s family medical history, is important for a physician to determine the applicable standard of care.

Latest Leapfrog Safety Grades Include Post-Op Sepsis

The most recent grades from The Leapfrog Group represent the largest set of hospitals ever evaluated, with grades assigned to 2,901 facilities. More than 30 evidence-based measures of patient safety were assessed, including postoperative sepsis, blood leakage, and kidney injury for the first time.