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This case highlights important provisions of EMTALA, which is a less common basis for allegations of improper medical care when compared to standard allegations of medical malpractice. It also is an important reminder about how courts evaluate allegations of fraudulent concealment.
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Class actions stemming from ransomware attacks are becoming increasingly common as the public awakens to the likelihood these episodes often are accompanied by data extradition and breaches. In the last two years, it has become increasingly common for consumers who are concerned about their own data exposure to file class actions against companies (including cloud software providers and healthcare companies).
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Cyberattacks are a major threat to healthcare organizations, with the potential for HIPAA data breaches, the loss of critical patient data, the inability to provide care, and substantial financial losses from ransoms and litigation. The White House is urging hospitals and health systems to take specific steps to improve cybersecurity.
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A government billing records audit will make most hospital leaders nervous because of the potential financial — and even criminal — consequences, but understanding the process and best practices can alleviate the stress.
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Impaired healthcare workers (HCWs) can pose a serious threat to patient safety, but they must be handled carefully and with respect to their own health conditions. Risk managers must ensure their organizations are prepared to protect patient safety while also working to help impaired HCWs receive treatment and return to work.
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For decades, risk managers have tried to improve safety by encouraging patients and family members to speak up when they are concerned about care or suspect something might be wrong. Some progress has been made, but recent data suggest one group remains reluctant to speak up: the parents of pediatric patients.
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Researchers were surprised that despite ongoing efforts to develop research ethics programs over many years in the United States and internationally, there was no published competency framework to follow, nor was there a standard approach to creating competencies in this context. This, despite the fact competencies have been used for education in business, medicine, and elsewhere for decades.
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Beyond the ethical questions, there are logistics, privacy, and even equity concerns to consider.
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Individuals with substance use disorder and higher rates of unintended pregnancies could benefit from a family planning intervention targeted for that population. The peer-led family planning navigation intervention employed women who were successful in connecting with study participants.
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Researchers are studying a novel contraceptive delivery system, which uses a vaginal film to produce antibodies to sperm. The same film also could be developed to protect against HIV infection and herpes.
