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‘Dr. Death’ Case Holds Lessons for Risk Managers, Hospitals
The extraordinary case of a neurosurgeon who was so poorly vetted by hospitals that he critically injured dozens of patients and was blamed for two deaths in a short time is receiving renewed attention in true crime podcasts and an upcoming TV series. Risk managers should take the opportunity to learn how to avoid a repeat of the tragic series of events. -
Report: U.S. Nurse Workforce to Play Pivotal Role Over Next Decade
National Academy of Medicine calls on extra funding, more comprehensive education, and expanded practice authority. -
Controversy Developing Over Vaccine Passports
Concerns are emerging about individual rights, equal access, and how anyone would enforce mandates.
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Change in Telemedicine Law Sparks Some Concern, But Most Users OK
A change in law related to the use of telemedicine has prompted some concern over when the technology can be used. However, hospitals and physicians are safe to continue with telehealth services under the COVID-19 public health emergency.
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New Telehealth Board Supports Credentialing by Proxy
Credentialing by proxy holds promise in streamlining the credentialing process by reducing the hours spent on paperwork and the length of time it takes to privilege telemedicine providers.
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Whistleblower Exception Allows Reporting HIPAA Violations with PHI
Healthcare professionals can find themselves in a quandary when they want to report fraud or other concerns within their organizations because doing so could require disclosure of protected health information. That could seem like a HIPAA violation; fortunately, there is a whistleblower exception that covers this scenario.
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Busy Year for Right of Access Settlements in 2021
At press time, OCR had settled five Right of Access investigations so far in 2021, four of those since President Biden was sworn in to office on Jan. 20.
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Right of Access Settlements Yield Lessons, Insight on OCR Approach
With nearly 20 settlements so far, the Office for Civil Rights is showing its determination to protect patients’ rights to obtain their medical records from healthcare entities.
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Patient’s Notice of Claim Not Time-Barred for Filing Two Years After Injury
This case is important to learn how time restraints are applied in medical malpractice suits. All states use specific statutes of limitations, and some states enacted additional time requirements to prevent a patient from waiting too little or too long before notifying the medical provider of intention to file suit. -
Punitive Damages Award Upheld for Wrongful Death Action Alleging Mere Negligence
This case demonstrates the need to fully inform patients of their treatment options — especially in non-emergency situations — and to carefully monitor patients during the relevant times, particularly during and after surgery, and to investigate abnormal conditions appearing after the surgery. A well-considered and documented informed consent can be as important to the patient’s safety from harm — and the physician’s protection from litigation — as making the correct diagnoses, prescribing the appropriate medications, or skillfully performing the correct procedures.