Articles Tagged With: liability
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Can Ethicists Be Sued for Recommendations? Attorneys Warn of Potential Legal Risks
The field of clinical ethics continues to evolve, with core competencies, certification, and documentation in the electronic medical record. In a recent paper, Claudia R. Sotomayor, MD, DBe, HEC-C, chief of the Ethics Consultation Service and a clinical ethicist at Georgetown University’s Pellegrino Center for Clinical Bioethics in Washington, DC, and colleagues explored whether the professionalization of ethics consultation exposes those working in this field to the types of liability claims faced by professionals in other fields.
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Compassion Fatigue Threatens Patient Safety
Nurses are experiencing compassion fatigue more than ever — and patient safety can suffer as a result. Long hours, staff shortages, and emotional and physical exhaustion have contributed to about 100,000 registered nurses leaving the workforce during the pandemic due to stress, according to a recent report.
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Failure to Diagnose and Treat Post-Surgery Infection Leads to $1.18 Million Verdict
One of the primary takeaways from this case is the importance of keeping thorough and accurate records. Keeping thorough and accurate records is important given the length of time that lapses between the underlying medical services and the potential for legal action, particularly trials.
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Patient and Family Complaints Require Careful Response
Healthcare organizations should have processes for responding to complaints from patients and families. The nature and seriousness of the complaint will dictate how much of a response is required.
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State Laws and Court Decisions Bring More Uncertainty to Reproductive Health
In recent months, abortion-ban states have seen even more drastic bills and changes to their citizens’ reproductive health and lives. While abortion bans have closed clinics and prevented physicians from providing standard care to women experiencing pregnancy crises, the states have gone even further, now threatening contraceptives and fertility treatment.
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Safety Strategies to Minimize AI Risks in Healthcare
Patient safety and risk management strategies for AI in healthcare are crucial for avoiding liability and preventing medical errors.
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Jury’s Defense Verdict Upheld for Physician Accused of Improper Treatment of Bone Infection
There are multiple avenues for defendants to prevail and secure a defense verdict. In this case, the defense experts showed that the treatment provided for osteomyelitis met care standards and that the progression of osteomyelitis in the lower extremities of certain patients, especially with certain comorbidities, is not always preventable despite the efforts of providers.
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Untreated Heart Condition Leads to Death, $14 Million Verdict
This case highlights a common type of medical malpractice: diagnostic errors, including failed or delayed diagnosis.
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Apologizing Still Works, But Ensure It Is Done Correctly
Saying “I’m sorry” after an adverse event has become more accepted in recent years to express the clinician or administrator’s sincere regret at the unfortunate outcome, which was discouraged for many years for fear it would be seen as a legal admission of guilt. On the contrary, it has been shown to diffuse the emotions of a patient or family member and diminish the likelihood of litigation. But exactly how those words of regret are spoken can be important.
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Knowing When to Call a Lawyer Can Help Avoid Bigger Problems
If in doubt, err on the side of calling for help from legal counsel. A timely consultation can help minimize any potential liability from a situation that may have legal implications.