Healthcare Risk Management – March 1, 2022
March 1, 2022
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Take the Right Steps to Speed Resolution of Malpractice Litigation
Steps taken in the early phase of malpractice litigation can significantly affect the length of the case, with the right moves resulting in a faster, cheaper resolution. On the other hand, missteps and oversights can draw out the case, costing more in legal fees and more on the eventual settlement.Improving Patient Handoffs Helps Reduce Malpractice Claims
Patient handoffs affect safety, although it is possible malpractice risk is a downstream effect. A large study of malpractice claims revealed a direct relationship between the quality of patient handoffs and claims.Handoffs Shown to Improve Patient Safety
Handoffs are a crucial moment in a patient’s care, when poor communication can lead to errors and harm. Communication errors are a top cause of sentinel events in hospitals.Control Factors That Influence Insurance Premiums
Insurance premiums are influenced by many factors. Some factors are out of the insured healthcare organization’s control, but hospitals can earn lower premiums by showing a concerted effort to improve patient safety and lower risk.Nurses Risk Consequences for Spreading Misinformation
Risk managers may need to counsel nursing staff on how they could expose themselves to professional consequences if they spread health misinformation online, particularly with much attention on what people post regarding COVID-19. Nurses who post misinformation could be subject to disciplinary action from their nursing boards, in addition to other results.Abnormal Vitals Linked to Unanticipated Death After ED Discharge
More than half of 129 patients who died unexpectedly after they were discharged from EDs exhibited abnormal vital signs at the time. Each patient had presented to an urban academic ED between 2014 and 2017, and died within seven days after they went home.Appellate Court Revives Lawsuit Against Hospital for Harvesting Organs Despite Objections
This case shows the standard of review for a plaintiff’s success on a claim of intentional infliction of emotional distress against a hospital.
Appeals Court Denies Hospital’s Objection to Expert Witness Report
This case shows the importance of expert testimony in reporting the standard of care. However, the legal requirements for expert witnesses are fairly minimal.HIPAA Safe Harbor Offers Limited But Important Protection
The HR 7898 HIPAA Safe Harbor Law, enacted in 2021, created a “safe harbor” for HIPAA-covered entities and their business associates when potentially facing fines and other penalties under HIPAA. But there are nuances to the law that risk managers and compliance officers must consider.HHS Guidance Addresses HIPAA and Emergency Protective Orders
HHS recently issued guidance about HIPAA compliance when information must be released in conjunction with an extreme risk protection order. The guidance will be useful for risk managers and compliance officers, but may present some challenges when trying to adhere to HIPAA restrictions.