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Multistate Drug Diverter’s Plea Denied, Faces 29 More Years
When it comes to discussion and analysis of drug diversion, David Kwiatkowski is the elephant in the room. More aptly, he is in a Florida federal prison cell. A hepatis C virus carrier, Kwiatkowski was sentenced to 39 years in prison in 2013 for infecting a string of victims with HCV as he diverted drugs from multiple hospitals in eight states. Tracking back through this trail of tears, federal officials with the Department of Health and Human Services tallied 45 HCV-infected patients, two of whom died.
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FDA Streamlining COVID-19 Shot to a Single Formula
Conceding the various vaccine doses and multiple boosters have caused considerable confusion, and some degree of pandemic apathy, the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee unanimously voted to simplify and “harmonize” the process by switching to a single vaccine formula to be administered annually for most people.
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Striking Nurses Receive More Staffing, Raises
Around 7,000 hospital nurses in New York City held a three-day strike that led to hospitals conceding to their demands for higher pay and improved staffing. Winning such a victory when staff shortages are widely reported could result in other hospitals following suit, as nurses demand fair treatment, full staffing, and equitable compensation after three years of fighting a pandemic.
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Physicians Less Optimistic About Public Health
Burning the candle at both ends is catching up with physicians, some of whom expressed frustration with the way their medical facilities are addressing burnout, according to the results of a new survey.
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Do Not Be the Man (or Woman) in Black
A few years ago, there was a great hue and cry about whether surgeons should still wear their time-honored skull caps. Now, it is the scrubs they wear, with researchers noting “an association between a physician’s attire and patient confidence in them, as well as patients’ ability to perceive clinician trustworthiness, intelligence, and empathy, with scrubs garnering favor.”
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OCR Strengthens Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder Patient Records
The Office for Civil Rights and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration recently announced proposed changes to the Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder Patient Records under 42 CFR Part 2, which could affect HIPAA compliance programs.
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Tracking Software Can Lead to HIPAA Violations
The HHS Office for Civil Rights has released a bulletin warning the use of website tracking technologies could result in HIPAA violations. Covered entities need to review their use of these tracking technologies and make necessary improvements.
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Appeals Court Dismisses Wrongful Death Lawsuit for Failure to Timely File Claim
This case is a fine example of the Government Claims Act and its application to public entities, including public health systems.
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Medical Center May Have Coverage for Suit Alleging Treatment from Unlicensed Physicians
There are two lessons from this case. First, while it is incumbent upon each physician to regularly secure, maintain, and update appropriate medical licensure, it also is important healthcare companies employing physicians maintain their own checks and balances to ensure that all licensure for its working physicians is up to date.
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Malpractice Lawsuits Allege Wrongful Prolongation of Life
The top problems in these cases are charting and communication among caregivers.