Emergency
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Is EMR to Blame for Bad Outcome? Possible Liability Exists for EP, Hospital, and Vendor
Not uncommonly, an ED patient’s bad outcome can be traced back in some way to the EMR. If so, multiple parties may find themselves defendants in malpractice litigation. Insiders break down some factors one can use when determining who is ultimately found liable.
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New E-Triage Tools Unlikely to Face Standard of Care Challenge
New e-triage tools have produced some solid data demonstrating their validity. But what are the liability implications for EDs who are early adopters?
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Shared Decision-Making in ED Mitigates Malpractice Risk
Three groups of participants read a conversation and were asked to imagine they had been part of that conversation and then experienced an adverse outcome. In the two groups' conversations that included some level of shared decision-making, participants were 80% less likely to report a plan to contact a lawyer.
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ED Communication Breakdowns True Cause of Many Malpractice Lawsuits
According to the authors of a recent analysis, risk-reducing tactics include conveying uncertainty to patients (if appropriate), ensuring incidental findings are communicated, and auditing compliance with policies on critical findings.
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Pediatric Cardiothoracic Point-of-Care Ultrasound: Part II
Ultrasound has emerged as a critical tool for use at the bedside to guide both diagnosis and treatment strategies. In this article, the authors discuss cardiac arrest, congenital abnormalities, pneumothorax, pleural effusion, and pneumonia.
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Code Melancholia: A Review of Depression for Emergency Physicians
Although the formal diagnosis of depression seldom is made in the emergency department (ED), emergency clinicians must understand the nature of depression and be prepared to deal with its complications, including suicidality and the toxicity of many antidepressant medications.
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Joint Commission Revises National Patient Safety Goal Regarding Suicide Risk
The move follows a re-evaluation of the National Patient Safety Goal covering this issue that began in 2016, and included research, public field review, and analysis with experts in suicide prevention as well as representatives from healthcare organizations and other key stakeholders.
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Sarasota Memorial Hospital Implements Sweeping Initiative, Raising HCAHPS Scores
Discovering that there was a decline in patient experience scores among patients aged 80 years and older, Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Florida initiated a multidisciplinary effort, dubbed PEACE (patient experience for acute care elders), to address the gap. With continual input from senior advisors from the community, the effort focused on engaging frontline caregivers and improving communications with patients and caregivers at multiple levels.
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State Hospital Association Tackles Workplace Violence With De-Escalation Training, Evolving Toolkit for Member Institutions
The Washington State Hospital Association intends to make meaningful modifications to an existing toolkit to ensure resources and recommendations remain relevant and applicable to new issues and emerging trends facing hospital leaders and workers.
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ACEP, AMA Announce Steps Aimed at Curbing Gun Violence
The American College of Emergency Physicians pledged to review current research and legislation to decide next steps, while the American Medical Association unveiled a new continuing medical education online module to help physicians with the knowledge and preparation to effectively counsel patients on firearm safety.