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It may seem intuitive, and risk managers certainly hoped it was true, but a new study showing a direct correlation between improved patient safety and a reduction in malpractice claims is still welcome news.
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Retained items in surgery are a constant risk in the OR, and there still is no perfect solution.
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Sometimes, it is the simplest thing that can trip you up and create a liability risk, not to mention a huge hassle for your staff.
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One potential cause of danger in off-peak hours is that those staff may not receive the same level of education on important issues from the employer...
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Healthcare Risk Management was awarded first place in the category of "Best Instructional Reporting" by the Specialized Information Publishing Association.
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A risk manager would never want to sit down with a family and try to explain that their loved one was harmed because the patient was treated in the middle of the night or on a Saturday, when standards are lower and risks are higher. But that could be the truth in some facilities, where patients are at higher risk during off-peak hours.
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A 57-year-old nursing home resident with a history of dementia climbed out the open window in her room, falling 30feet to the ground below. The woman suffered severe injury as a result of the fall, and a jury awarded the plaintiff $276,164 in damages.
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A pregnant woman at full term presented to the hospital for the birth of her son. The baby was delivered via Caesarean section. Normal tests were conducted on the newborn, and all seemed to be in order.
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Gaining patient consent and provider adoption for health information exchanges (HIEs) is important for the success of the effort, and patients must be adequately educated about the HIE or they may not give their permission, says Jared Rhoads, senior research analyst with CSC, a technology consulting company based in Falls Church, VA.
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Resident elopement and wandering can be extremely dangerous for patients and costly to the facility if the patient is injured or dies, but many health care providers do not have a formal plan in place to prevent the problem or respond effectively once staff realize a patient is missing.