Healthcare Risk Management – July 1, 2006
July 1, 2006
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Tenet settlement should chill risk managers on physician referrals
The recent settlement of a case involving referrals and kickback allegations has some observers reeling from the tough stance taken by federal prosecutors. -
Can be hard to prove intent after the fact
The lesson from the Tenet settlement is that even if your intentions were honorable all along, it can be difficult to prove that position once the federal government brings charges against you. -
Tenet statement outlines how referrals went astray
As part of its settlement of a federal case involving allegations of kickbacks for physician referrals, Tenet Healthcare Corp. agreed to a statement explaining how the situation arose. -
Design becoming new focus for improving patient safety
Risk managers are accustomed to working with whatever physical surroundings they find in their facilities, making the best of work and patient areas that might not be optimal for safety, and reducing liability risk. -
Rooms designed to reduce falls, standardize all gear
Palomar Pomerado Health (PPH) in San Diego, CA, is incorporating several strategies for improving patient and staff safety with the design of its new hospital. -
More hospitals including patient safety in design
More risk managers are getting involved in the effort to design safer health care facilities, says Anjali Joseph, PhD, director of research for The Center for Health Design in Concord, CA, a group that provides support for patient safety design efforts. -
Evacuation plans for OR fires often overlooked
Risk managers recognize that fire is a serious risk in the operating room and require appropriate prevention efforts and response plans. -
Movie helps teach OR staff how to evacuate
Orientation for new employees was a particular concern at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas because staff could be clueless about evacuation until the next fire drill rolled around. -
Disclosure often needs more than one talk
We've been making a lot of progress in changing our culture regarding the disclosure of adverse events, but we're still getting some resistance from physicians... -
Harvard study: Malpractice cases not usually baseless
As tort reform efforts continue on the state and federal levels, a new study suggests that the idea of baseless malpractice lawsuits is somewhat overblown. -
Legal Review and Commentary: Jury awards $19.5 million against nursing home for failing to monitor resident with Alzheimer's disease
An elderly woman suffering from progressive Alzheimer's sustained head wounds following a fight with another resident at her nursing home. -
Legal Review and Commentary: Liability risks cut only modest number of doctors
Despite fears that physicians might be driven out of the market by steadily rising liability costs, a new report suggests otherwise. -
Patient Safety Alert supplement