Healthcare Risk Management – July 1, 2022
July 1, 2022
View Issues
-
Develop Good Working Relationship with Counsel for Best Results
Risk managers often work closely with either in-house counsel or outside attorneys representing the hospital or health system in a range of legal matters, but those interactions can go awry without a good working relationship. Establishing boundaries and proper expectations can go a long way toward achieving the best results. -
New SBAR Method Improves Handoffs in Texas Hospital
A nursing team at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio developed a new process for handing off patients from the ED to a telemetry unit that improved patient care and decreased the number of rapid responses for recent transfers.
-
Leapfrog Data Show Safety Declines in Pandemic Era
Recent patient experience data suggest the pandemic caused declines in some patient safety-related measures. Poor communication is a common theme. -
CMS May Suppress Data on Complications in Hospitals
CMS is planning to suppress data on many dangerous medical and surgical complications in hospitals because data from the COVID-19 era may be unreliable. The plan would suppress data on sepsis, kidney harm, deep bedsores, lung collapse, and many other measures. -
Value-Based Safe Harbor, Stark Exception Increasingly Important
The value-based arrangement Anti-Kickback Statute safe harbor and Stark Law exception introduced last year are likely to become important components of healthcare provider methods. CMS and other third-party payors will continue to focus on promoting care coordination and patient outcomes, making the safe harbor and Stark exception critical tools to avoid legal complications.
-
More Consumers Suing After Healthcare Data Breaches
Consumers are suing companies more often for data breaches that expose their private information, according to one law firm’s experience. Healthcare organizations are seeing the biggest increases in this type of litigation.
-
Botched Hip Surgery Causes Patient’s Death, Potential Liability Years Later
This case holds both substantive and procedural lessons for care providers. Procedure can be equally as important as substance in defending against litigation. It is important to consult with counsel while reviewing the applicable facts and specific laws to understand potentially successful procedural challenges.
-
Negligent Pacemaker Implantation Results in Malpractice Action
This case presents a common cause of malpractice actions: The failure to timely diagnose and treat a condition.