Do You Understand Your Patients? Do Your Patients Understand You?
As healthcare becomes increasingly complex and more patient involvement is being required, good communication in both directions becomes paramount.
Electronic Medical Records and Professional Liability Risk Management
Professional liability has certainly been a hot topic in Ohio for the last several years, but the focus has mainly been on escalating premium costs. In this article, I would like to focus on the unique ways that an electronic medical record (EMR) can mitigate risk for physicians and their office staffs.
Informed Consent
The concept of "consent" and "informed consent" are two separate entities. Consent is given by a patient when he or she signs a form (e.g., records release) or verbally agrees to a treatment. Informed Consent is shared decision making by the patient and the physician that involves communication and documentation of the treatment to be rendered.
Medical Records Documentation
The medical record has always served multiple purposes with the most basic function being a patient care plan to assure continuity of treatment. However, as a result of the ever changing environment both in increased litigation and decreased reimbursement, the medical record assumes an importance beyond the scope of its basic intent.
Medical Records Retention for Physicians Offices
As the role of Electronic Health Records (EHR) evolves, the impact on future medical record retention will also change.
No Shows and Non-Compliant Patients
Continuing the focus on reducing risk in the office setting entails the development of policies and procedures specific to reducing the liability
Patient Satisfaction
You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Weve all heard this conventional wisdom, but how many of us apply it in our offices?
Reducing Risk During Hand-off
By Anthony Volpe, MD, Assistant Medical Director, Medical Director of Professional Liability and Risk Management
The definition of a hand-off is the transfer of patient information and responsibility between healthcare providers. The failure at any level of this process can lead to delayed or missed diagnosis and negatively impact both patient safety and the quality of care being delivered.
Reducing Risk in the Office
Liability issues commonly develop from physician office staff and patient interactions. Most administrative procedures that occur daily are not risk-free and require policies to attempt to minimize liability. The office staff needs to clearly understand their role with all patients who seek care in a medical practice and be aware of their role and responsibilities in limiting risk exposure.
Risk Management Committee
In January 2008 both MGO and PLPPs Boards of Directors approved the formation of a Risk Management Committee.
Risk Management for Electronic Physician-Patient Communication (e-PPC)
Effective communication between physicians and patients has been at the core of a mutually beneficial relationship, contributing to improved clinical outcomes, high rates of patient and physician satisfaction and reduced medical liability risk.
Risk Management Strategies for Quality Practices
Most medical offices develop a Policy and Procedure Manual as a resource to educate staff on the expected operations of the practice. The manuals should address office-related topics including insurance, facility concerns, safety matters, financial operations as well as patient, employee and employer issues. The policies need to represent current regulations and practice operations. Many organizations can serve as a resource including the American Medical Association and local and state medic
Telephone Communication and Triage in the Physician Office
By Anthony Volpe, MD, Assistant Medical Director, Medical Director of Professional Liability and Risk Management
Every encounter with a patient influences their perception of the quality of the care theyre receiving. If a patient perceives that they are not receiving quality care this presents a liability.
The Importance of Patient Communications
The underlying impetus for many medical malpractice claims is failed communication. This communication "failure" may occur at many levels
The Self Assessment Survey: A Dashboard View of Your Practice
By Gloria McFarland, RN, MSN, CPHQ, Quality Improvement Project Manager
As part of the Health4 Clinical Integration initiative, physicians will be asked to participate in a 20-question Self Assessment Survey. The Self Assessment Survey is one of the three required on-line educational programs for Health4. Your results along with other participants in Health4 will be used to help guide future Risk Management and Quality Initiatives.
Tracking & Communication of Test Results
No News is Good News = A Liability Nightmare. In medical malpractice claims, failure to diagnose remains the number one allegation for every specialty
Wrong-Site Surgery Prevention
The definition of wrong-site surgery refers to multiple potential surgical errors. The opportunity to perform a procedure on the wrong patient, the wrong side or anatomic part, or the wrong procedure itself all contribute to the problem. An August 1998, Joint Commission report on sentinel events addressed the wrong-site surgery issue. In 2008, it was estimated that wrong-site surgeries took place between 5 and 10 times a day and represented 13% of the sentinel events reported.