Healthcare Risk Management – November 1, 2010
November 1, 2010
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RM says she was fired for reporting EMTALA violation
An experienced risk manager says she was fired by her hospital for reporting an Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) violation after hospital executives discouraged reporting it for fear of a large penalty. She is now suing the hospital, which denies her allegations. -
Lawsuit claims RM acted appropriately
The lawsuit filed recently by Margaret O'Connor, RN, the risk manager at Jordan Hospital in Plymouth, MA, until she was fired recently after reporting an EMTALA violation, outlines what she says was an act of retaliation by hospital leaders. -
ASHRM stands behind fired risk manager
Retaliatory firing of a risk manager for reporting regulatory infractions is outrageous but not unheard of, says Dan Groszkruger, JD, MPH, CPHRM, DFASHRM, risk manager at Stanford (CA) University Medical Center and a board member of the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management (ASHRM) in Chicago. -
Fake mammogram results lead to indictment
A hospital in Georgia is facing many questions after a former employee was indicted for what authorities say was intentional fraud in entering negative results for mammograms that, in fact, had not been read by a radiologist. -
Hospital confirms results were faked
The employee in question is still facing criminal charges, but Perry (GA) Hospital has confirmed that a technician faked mammogram results. -
Johns Hopkins shooting shows need to prepare
A recent shooting incident at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore shows the need to prepare for gun violence, but it also illustrates the limitations of any prevention program, security experts say. -
Personal touch might defuse potential violence
Focusing more on personal interactions can defuse potentially violent situations, says Sean Ahrens, CPP, BSCP, CSC, senior security consultant with Schirmer Engineering in Glenview, IL. -
ED violence vs. nurses remains high
Every week, in the United States, between 8% and 13% of emergency department nurses are victims of physical violence, according to a new study released by the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) in Des Plaines, IL. -
Nursing Home's Failure to Administer Laxative to Resident Leads to Death; $5.3M Verdict
A resident at an assisted living facility had significant issues with constipation and bowel issues for which she was prescribed certain medications. The resident claimed that the nursing facility did not administer the medication as required by her physician and that she began showing signs of an obstruction after one week of failing to have a bowel movement. Enemas and other treatments were administered by nurses at the facility, but ultimately she was taken to the emergency room with a ruptured colon. -
Morphine overdose leads to brain injury
A woman underwent reconstructive breast surgery following breast cancer treatment. While in recovery, the woman suffered a morphine overdose that ultimately led to the woman suffering a brain injury. -
HIPAA Regulatory Alert: Don't wait: Start reviewing BA agreements now
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HIPAA Regulatory Alert: Access, not use, of PHI results in conviction
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HIPAA Regulatory Alert: Health care breach list tops 160
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HIPAA Regulatory Alert: Looking at HIPAA security risks? Check your copier