Healthcare Risk Management
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Researchers Help Identify High-Risk AMA Patients, Solutions
Researchers recently studied the underlying causes of patients leaving AMA, finding certain populations are at higher risk. The team also identified possible ways to reduce AMA rates.
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Reduce Risk When Patients Leave AMA
Patients leaving against medical advice (AMA) put themselves and the hospital at risk. The patient may suffer harm from forgoing needed care, and the hospital may be held liable for that harm. Discouraging patients from leaving AMA can be difficult, leaving the facility to depend on documenting its efforts to provide care.
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Time to Review Non-Physician Policies from Pandemic
Pandemic-era rules allowing relaxed licensing and supervision requirements for non-physicians are undergoing revisions, which means healthcare employers may need to review their policies. For example, in 2022, CMS ended its blanket waivers and reinstated federal physician supervision requirements and other restrictions for some facilities.
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Avoid Common Mistakes in Malpractice Cases
Handling an allegation of medical malpractice is never easy, but the experience and eventual outcome can be greatly improved by avoiding some of the most common mistakes. One of the biggest mistakes is altering a record after the fact.
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ED Physicians Dispute Claims of High Diagnostic Error Rates
Investigators from AHRQ estimated more than 7 million people may be inaccurately diagnosed in hospital EDs every year, prompting concerns about patient safety and the potential for liability. However, emergency physicians are sharply critical of the report. They say some of the conclusions are based on faulty interpretations of data.
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Ohio Court Revives Allergic Reaction Malpractice Suit
Before considering the statute of limitations aspects of this case, a healthcare professional should be cognizant of both the potential direct and indirect liability for failure to review and consider a patient’s medical history. Patient allergies are a crucial aspect of history-gathering since this may bring potentially life-threatening consequences.
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Appeals Court Upholds Decision Finding Chiropractor Not Liable for Patient’s Death
This case shows the importance of enlisting a properly qualified expert witness. When a plaintiff files a medical negligence claim, he or she must provide expert testimony to prove not only was the defendant negligent, but also the defendant’s negligence caused the plaintiff’s injury.
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Leapfrog Group Finds ‘Significant’ Safety Improvement Over 10 Years
Hospitals in the United States have improved patient safety measures significantly over the past decade, according to the latest report from the Leapfrog Group.
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I-PASS Reduces Harm and Improves Communication
Research indicates the I-PASS handoff program reduces harm and improves communication among clinicians. The research builds on previous studies showing validity of the program.
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Patient Code of Conduct Aimed at Protecting Staff
Mass General Brigham hospital in Boston recently implemented a patient code of conduct designed to protect clinicians and other staff from verbal abuse or disrespect. Such policies are becoming more common in response to harassment in healthcare workplaces.