Healthcare Risk Management – January 1, 2021

January 1, 2021

• Cyberattack Almost Shuts Down Health System, Shows Need for Security

  The recent cyberattack on a large health system shows the need for a robust security program, as well as how severely such an attack can affect healthcare operations.

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• Ransomware Is Fast, Need to Practice Response

  Ransomware can act with amazing speed and can affect more than 1,000 machines in less than 90 seconds.n.”

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• Four Pillars of Cybersecurity Can Help Prevent Trouble

  To implement a cybersecurity solution, one needs to understand the four pillars of cybersecurity — Cybersecurity Awareness Training, Cybersecurity Audit, Vulnerability Scanning, and Penetration Testing.

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• How to Defend Against Ransomware Attacks

  To prevent ransomware attacks, employees should be educated and trained on identifying phishing emails and phishing social media. The organization should create a policy and a mechanism for employees and end-users to report suspicious messages.

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• Structure, Time Limit Optimize Results from Safety Huddles

  Indiana University Health in Indianapolis is using a carefully structured adverse event huddle across its entire health system to encourage hospitals to share information about patient safety.

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• OCR Seeking Ways to Improve HIPAA, Respond to Value Concerns

  The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is asking the public for ways to modify HIPAA regulations, specifically to drive cost savings and value. The changes are intended to help HIPAA mesh better with coordinated care platforms and improve care coordination.
  

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• Annual Physician Liability Survey Reveals Hardening Markets

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• Telemental Health Survey Finds Increased Risk of Fraud

  The expansion of telehealth services brings more risk of fraud and a greater need for internal compliance programs, according to the 2020 Telemental Health Laws survey from Epstein Becker Green in Washington, DC.

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• Complications from Gastric Bypass Surgery Result in Brain Injury, $14.1 Million Award

  A patient underwent gastric bypass surgery, but suffered permanent brain damage because of post-surgery complications and requires around-the-clock care for the rest of her life. The patient sued, alleging that the physician who performed the procedure failed to recognize that she was suffering from a severe thiamine and vitamin B1 deficiency, which led to her injuries. A jury awarded a $14.1 million verdict. The defendant physicians appealed, but the appellate court affirmed the verdict.

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• Defense Verdict Rejects $16 Million Demand, but 14-Minute Deliberation Gives Rise to an Appeal

  A widow filed a malpractice action alleging a hospital’s failure to evaluate the patient, which would have revealed extreme respiratory distress. The patient’s death was caused by a lack of oxygen. Experts testified that if the patient had been placed on a ventilator, he would have had a significantly higher chance of surviving his condition, pneumonia. Following a seven-day trial, the jury rendered a defense verdict after a mere 14 minutes of deliberation. The plaintiff brought a post-trial motion seeking to overturn the decision, and the court ordered a new trial.

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