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A proposed federal action plan is targeting influenza vaccination of health care workers, and occupational health physicians will be represented on the working group that is considering new recommendations including possible mandates.
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Some topics are obvious when it comes to using metrics, but using metrics to study the behavior of employees and physicians doesn't get as much attention, notes David G. Danielson, JD, CPA, senior vice president for clinical risk management with Sanford Health, a health care network based in Sioux Falls, SD
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A woman was admitted to the hospital after suffering a heart attack. The woman was a high fall risk and eventually fell and fractured her nose and cut her forehead. The woman was fitted with an oxygen mask. Shortly thereafter, the electrocautery combined with oxygen from the mask, sparking a fire and leaving the woman with first and second degree burns. A jury returned a verdict of $1,215,000 in Michigan.
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An 88-year-old woman was taken to a local hospital after being found sitting outside her son's home, apparently confused. She was then transferred to a nursing facility, where she was diagnosed with altered levels of consciousness and inability to perform activities of daily living. The woman was again admitted to the hospital and fitted with a vest-restraint system.
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An ED physician, like any health care provider, can be sued for wrongful death whenever there is evidence that medical malpractice has caused a patient's death.
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If highly religious nurses or physicians feel that it is appropriate to pray with patients and to share their faith, some patients will appreciate this while others may not. However, it's unlikely this practice will lead to a lawsuit.
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If a bad outcome occurs with a boarded patient, what standard of care will the ED be held to?
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Did a "boarded" ED patient have a bad outcome that can be in any way associated with a delay in diagnosis or treatment, or a failure to properly observe?
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Risk management is the process of identifying factors that may be a source of exposure to lawsuits and adverse outcomes.