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Checkbox Charting Is Problem for ED Malpractice Defense
Make sure the ED uses modified templates to allow clinicians to add free-form text. Carefully review the record for accuracy before signing the note (including automatically populated checkboxes), either contemporaneously or close in time to the encounter. Finally, maintain a strong compliance program with regular medical record audits, including a review of electronic health record systems.
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Expert Panel Is Low-Cost Way to Determine Strength of Med/Mal Claim
If the panel finds the emergency physician deviated from the standard of care, a malpractice lawsuit is likely. On the other hand, if the panel finds the ED care was reasonable, there is a fair chance the claimant will not file suit.
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Most ED Malpractice Lawsuits Are Dropped, Withdrawn, or Dismissed
When an emergency physician is sued for malpractice, many immediately envision testifying in court before a jury. In reality, few ED claims (7.6%) make it that far. Most cases (65%) actually end up dropped, dismissed, or withdrawn, according to a recent analysis.
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Aortic Aneurysm Claims Generate Highest Average Indemnity for ED
ED malpractice claims involving aortic aneurysm generated higher average indemnity ($369,872) than any other medical condition, according to a recent analysis. Failure to timely diagnose is the most common allegation in malpractice actions, followed closely by poor communication between providers.
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Closed Claim Malpractice Data Reveal Actual Legal Risks for ED Providers
Researchers analyzed 6,779 closed claims for adults in the ED and urgent care center settings logged between 2001 and 2015. The top five diagnoses in ED claims were: cardiac or cardiorespiratory arrest, acute myocardial infarction, aortic aneurysm, pulmonary embolism, and appendicitis.
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Management of Pediatric Shock
Pediatric shock carries a high morbidity and mortality, making early recognition key. Recently, pediatric critical care and resuscitation has been the focus of emergency department care improvement.
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Hospital Attains QCDR Status, Improves Quality Metrics
Alteon Health, a physician-owned and physician-led acute care medical group based in Germantown, MD, recently became a Qualified Clinical Data Registry (QCDR), a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services-approved vendor that is in the business of improving healthcare quality. QCDRs may include specialty societies, regional health collaboratives, large health systems, or software vendors working in collaboration with one of these medical entities.
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Clear Masks Improve Patient Communication, But Surgeons Hesitant
Recent research at a hospital revealed patients preferred clear masks because they allowed them to see the clinician’s face, but more than half of surgeons said they were unlikely to use a clear mask. -
Pennsylvania Hospital Reduces CAUTI Rates with Education, Interventions
A Pennsylvania hospital is reporting good results from a quality improvement initiative aimed at reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infections in the ICU.
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Hospital Sees Quality Improvement with Expanded Telehealth Services
Virginia Mason Franciscan Health in Seattle ramped up its telehealth efforts to facilitate more virtual clinical and urgent care visits — more than 425,000 since March 2020 — with appointments ranging from annual check-ups to pre-and post-surgical check-ins. Notable results include improvements in quality of care and patient satisfaction.