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Medication History Often Inaccurate on Inpatient Side
Medication histories were more accurate when obtained by pharmacy technicians, according to a recent study. Of 183 patients admitted through the ED in 2017 and 2018, medication histories were accurate just 38% of the time with the usual process (typically, a nurse reviews the medication list and updates it accordingly) and 70% of the time with pharmacy technicians.
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Most Sickle Cell Disease Patients Avoid EDs During Pain Attacks
In many EDs, sickle cell pain episodes continue to be managed poorly. Sixty percent of patients with sickle cell disease say they “very much” or “quite a bit” avoid going to the ED during a pain attack because of a previous bad experience. Many reported experiencing stigma because of providers’ suspicions of drug-seeking behavior. Half said they waited at least two hours for treatment.
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Checkbox Charting Is Problem for ED Malpractice Defense
Make sure the ED uses modified templates to allow clinicians to add free-form text. Carefully review the record for accuracy before signing the note (including automatically populated checkboxes), either contemporaneously or close in time to the encounter. Finally, maintain a strong compliance program with regular medical record audits, including a review of electronic health record systems.
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Expert Panel Is Low-Cost Way to Determine Strength of Med/Mal Claim
If the panel finds the emergency physician deviated from the standard of care, a malpractice lawsuit is likely. On the other hand, if the panel finds the ED care was reasonable, there is a fair chance the claimant will not file suit.
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Most ED Malpractice Lawsuits Are Dropped, Withdrawn, or Dismissed
When an emergency physician is sued for malpractice, many immediately envision testifying in court before a jury. In reality, few ED claims (7.6%) make it that far. Most cases (65%) actually end up dropped, dismissed, or withdrawn, according to a recent analysis.
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Aortic Aneurysm Claims Generate Highest Average Indemnity for ED
ED malpractice claims involving aortic aneurysm generated higher average indemnity ($369,872) than any other medical condition, according to a recent analysis. Failure to timely diagnose is the most common allegation in malpractice actions, followed closely by poor communication between providers.
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Closed Claim Malpractice Data Reveal Actual Legal Risks for ED Providers
Researchers analyzed 6,779 closed claims for adults in the ED and urgent care center settings logged between 2001 and 2015. The top five diagnoses in ED claims were: cardiac or cardiorespiratory arrest, acute myocardial infarction, aortic aneurysm, pulmonary embolism, and appendicitis.
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Management of Pediatric Shock
Pediatric shock carries a high morbidity and mortality, making early recognition key. Recently, pediatric critical care and resuscitation has been the focus of emergency department care improvement.
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Hospital Attains QCDR Status, Improves Quality Metrics
Alteon Health, a physician-owned and physician-led acute care medical group based in Germantown, MD, recently became a Qualified Clinical Data Registry (QCDR), a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services-approved vendor that is in the business of improving healthcare quality. QCDRs may include specialty societies, regional health collaboratives, large health systems, or software vendors working in collaboration with one of these medical entities.
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Clear Masks Improve Patient Communication, But Surgeons Hesitant
Recent research at a hospital revealed patients preferred clear masks because they allowed them to see the clinician’s face, but more than half of surgeons said they were unlikely to use a clear mask.