Risk & Quality Management
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Appellate Court Affirms $42 Million Award for Medical Negligence Despite Evidentiary Errors
For medical professionals and the broader healthcare community, this case highlights several interesting issues.
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Difficult EHRs Less Likely to Catch Medical Errors
Electronic health records that are difficult to use are less likely to catch medical errors, according to a new report.
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President’s Group on Patient Safety Publishes Recommendations
The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology recently released its findings and recommendations on patient safety in a report that outlines how “patient safety is an urgent national public health issue.”
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How to Identify and Defend Against Malicious Lawsuits
Every lawsuit against a healthcare provider is costly and time-consuming, even if the defendant prevails in the end. But it is especially frustrating when it seems there was never any legitimacy to the action. Determining when a plaintiff’s actions constitute a malicious lawsuit can be difficult — and the recourse for the defendant may be limited.
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Be Prepared to Secure All Types of Evidence After Adverse Events
An adverse event that could lead to litigation or investigations should prompt risk managers to implement a prepared process for securing the related evidence, which can take multiple forms. Properly obtaining and protecting the documents, devices, witness reports, digital data, and other evidence may determine the outcome of future litigation.
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Is ED Patient Rude or Insulting? Risk Mitigation Needed
Patients who behave in this manner could be at risk for a missed diagnosis caused by poor communication with the treatment team. They may be so difficult to tolerate that they receive less attention and nursing care than they would have otherwise. The best approach is to recognize the risks with these types of patients and mitigate them.
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Was Child Brought to ED by EMS? Medication Dosages May Be Incorrect
ED personnel should ensure a good handoff report is received from EMS providers, and that the dose of any medications administered by EMS is recorded. ED personnel should be mindful in carrying out weight-based dosing calculations, and should follow recommendations of national guidelines.
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EDs Can Make Discharges Against Medical Advice Safer
Recognizing a discharge as higher risk could encourage physicians and care providers to engage in risk assessment and risk reduction.
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Complaint Alleges OB/GYN Decapitated Baby During Botched Delivery and Covered It Up
The issue of gross medical negligence by the medical team will be at the forefront of the lawsuit. The lawsuit alleged the attending physician and the medical team were “grossly negligent” in their treatment of the patient and her baby.
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Jury Awards Woman $13 Million After Botched Cosmetic Surgery
A significant portion of the patient’s case centered not on the botched medical procedure, but on the lack of clear warnings given to the patient and lack of informed consent obtained by the physician and her team.