Taking the Lead in Patient Safety
Providing leadership in the national movement to improve the health care delivery system and reduce medical errors is a key component of The Doctors Company’s overall mission to advance and protect the practice of good medicine.
The Department of Patient Safety/Risk Management at The Doctors Company believes that:
- Patient safety is a major health policy issue that deeply affects every physician.
- The medical malpractice industry plays a vital role in the health care delivery system.
- Even “good” doctors practice in unsafe environments, a scenario that compromises patient care and puts the physician at greater risk of a lawsuit.
- There are many opportunities to identify risk in the delivery of patient care.
- Current risk management programs, such as practice surveys, claims analyses, and educational presentations are—and will continue to be—a valuable part of the patient safety program.
- Analysis of patient care systems within the practice environment is essential in identifying the high-risk activities that are opportunities for errors.
- Process analysis is valuable as a means to evaluate the needs of individual physicians and to design an action plan to assist the physician in reducing risk.
The Doctors Company is dedicated to assisting you in improving the quality of care and safety of your patients.
Our Patient Safety/Risk Management Department provides a multitude of services and publications to assist the physician and office staff:
- A dedicated regional patient safety/risk manager is available to answer your questions and assist you in identifying and reducing risk exposure.
- Site visits can be scheduled to assist you in identifying areas to improve patient safety in your practice. These surveys include a review of the following: office policies and procedures, systems for follow-up with patients, communication among the staff and with patients, safety and security in the office, and clinical procedures. Our site survey reports offer suggestions on how to develop and improve office procedures and processes.
- Our Patient Safety/Risk Management Department staff is available for a risk consultation 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, by phone at (800) 421-2368, extension 1243.
- Information and practical tips will be provided for improving the safety and quality of patient care through effective team communication, effective medical record management, and patient education.
- Timely publications, such as The Doctor’s Advocate, examine important patient safety and risk issues and offer practical advice on ways to lower risk and improve patient satisfaction.
- Individual physicians may wish to call us for our Office Self-Assessment tool. This is a comprehensive review of office systems that can be conducted by the physician and office manager. When completed, it is returned to the appropriate regional patient safety/risk manager for review and recommendations.
A Team Approach
The Patient Safety/Risk Management Department works closely with the company’s claims specialists and underwriters to assist physicians in identifying and mitigating potential liability exposures in their practices.
Availability of Our Staff
The Doctors Company’s regional patient safety/risk managers are located throughout the country to assist physicians in a timely manner. Our main office in Napa, California, can be reached at (800) 421-2368, extension 1243, if you have questions or need immediate assistance. We will connect you to your regional patient safety/risk manager.
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