Medication Management

Dec 02, 2024
Wernicke’s Encephalopathy: An Underrecognized Risk of Using Semaglutide Medications
Emma J. Patterson, MD, FACS, FRCSC, FASMBS, President and Medical Director of Oregon Weight Loss Surgery
The explosion in the use of appetite-suppressing semaglutide medications has created rising concerns about a potential upsurge in cases of Wernicke’s encephalopathy.
From The Doctor’s Advocate

Oct 21, 2024
Dispensing Sample Medications: Risk Management Strategies
Debra Kane Hill, MBA, RN, Senior Patient Safety Risk Manager, The Doctors Company, Part of TDC Group
If not carefully managed, sample medications can create issues that place patients and the practice at risk.

Aug 27, 2024
Adjusting Medications for Patients With Kidney Disease: Case Study
Melissa Nelson, RN, Senior Patient Safety Analyst, The Doctors Company
Strategies from our case examination can help practitioners ensure that patients with poor kidney function receive appropriately adjusted medication doses.
From The Doctor’s Advocate

Jul 22, 2024
Patient Safety Strategies for Oncology
Tamela Morgan, RN, MBA, Patient Safety Risk Manager II, The Doctors Company, Part of TDC Group
The strategies presented here can help oncologists keep their patients safe as they mitigate risks.

Professional Education
Alzheimer's 8: Dementia Update for PCPs: Disease-Modifying Medications Risks and Benefits
A panel of dementia specialists provide up-to-date information on new disease-modifying medications receiving FDA approval, but with specific candidate criteria. Practitioners will learn how these medications work, which of their patients may benefit, how to identify and address risks, and how to effectively communicate with patients and family members. [1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, 1.50 Contact Hours (ANCC)]
1.5 credits

Nov 30, 2023, MedCity News
Practice Risk Assessment: Do You Know What Your Patients Are Taking?
Richard F. Cahill, Esq., Vice President and Associate General Counsel, The Doctors Company, part of TDC Group, discusses how clinicians can promote positive outcomes and mitigate practice liability risks at a time when patients may be accessing care from myriad sources.

Professional Education
Safe Opioid Prescribing for Physicians and Dentists
This enduring activity meets controlled substances requirements for a national audience (not state-specific). Opioids play an important role in pain management—both in the acute and the chronic setting, but a variety of causes have contributed to an opioid-related epidemic leading to addiction and death. There has also been substantial misuse of opioids by prescription and by diversion. With the spotlight on the epidemic guidelines, regulations, studies, and solutions are emerging, including recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that can address the epidemic and allow for effective and appropriate use of these drugs.
2.5 credits

Professional Education
Safe Opioid Prescribing for Physicians and Dentists: Florida Edition
This enduring program meets current Florida-specific controlled substance requirements. Opioids play an important role in pain management—both in the acute and the chronic setting, but a variety of causes have contributed to an opioid-related epidemic leading to addiction and death. There has also been substantial misuse of opioids by prescription and by diversion. With the spotlight on the epidemic guidelines, regulations, studies, and solutions are emerging, including recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that can address the epidemic and allow for effective and appropriate use of these drugs.
2.5 credits

Nov 07, 2023
Reducing Risk in Psychiatry Through Effective Medication Management
Carol Murray, CPHRM, CPPS, Senior Patient Safety Risk Manager, The Doctors Company
Medication regimens for psychiatric patients can be highly complex and involve a variety of drugs. Incorporating the medication management strategies outlined here can help psychiatrists keep patients safe.

Oct 30, 2023
Off-Label Use: Patient Safety Implications
Kim Hathaway, MSN, CPHRM, Patient Safety Healthcare Quality and Risk Management Consultant, and Richard Cahill, JD, Vice President and Associate General Counsel, The Doctors Company
The standard for appropriate off-label use of medications and other products is what other similarly trained physicians would do, not what the manufacturer of the medication or product recommends.

Professional Education
Loss Lessons: Lithium Toxicity, Fine Tuning Medications Used in Behavioral Health
Lithium therapy can be used for bipolar affective disorders and in depressive disorders where other antidepressants have been unsuccessful. It is considered a “high-risk” drug due to its narrow therapeutic range and potential for overdose toxicity. This case illustrates the pitfalls that occurred resulting in litigation. It is followed by a discussion of the problems that could have been avoided by following safety guidelines for prescribing lithium.
0.2 credit

Jul 06, 2023, Physician's Practice
What Your Practice Can Do About Medication Safety
David L. Feldman, MD, MBA, FACS, Chief Medical Officer, and Richard F. Cahill, JD, Vice President and Associate General Counsel, write about the risks from medication errors and offer best practices for medication monitoring and management.

Professional Education
Errors in Anticoagulation Management in the Dermatology Office (Claims Corner CME)
In reviewing closed malpractice claims, The Doctors Company has found an increased risk of claims in patients taking direct acting oral anticoagulants that undergo office-based dermatologic procedures. This case study highlights the factors contributing to the improper management of these patients, including errors in clinical judgment, anticoagulant management, and communication.
0.5 credit

Professional Education
Medication Management: Strategies for Advanced Practice Clinicians
Medication management is by far the area providers can make the most impact within the professional practice arena. Data from closed claims shows that medication management is a risky area, most importantly the monitoring of medications. Monitoring and management begin when the patient receives the medication until the patient is no longer on the medication. An effective medication management process is essential for safe patient care. Having current patient medication information will assist with subsequent prescribing and a plan of care.
1.2 credits

Professional Education
Alzheimer's 6: Pharmacological Management of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia
Join our self-paced educational program to learn to distinguish dementia symptoms from other psychiatric issues and treat them with pharmacological interventions. Improve recognition of behavioral problems in Alzheimer's and dementia patients, use the DICE psycho-behavioral model for medication decisions, and create treatment plans with behavioral and pharmacological strategies to refine your best practices for individuals with dementia. [1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, 1.50 Contact Hours (ANCC)]
1.5 credits

Professional Education
Alzheimer's 5 : Use of Pharmacotherapy for Patients with Major Neurocognitive Disorder
This activity includes video lectures and is the fifth in a series of courses that seek to educate clinicians on standardized screening, evaluation, and disease management of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. This fifth course focuses on the most frequently used and FDA-approved prescription medications for Alzheimer's disease and dementias, the current research regarding its use, and guidelines for prescribing and discontinuing medication. The program will incorporate cultural values and beliefs when creating and sharing the pharmacological care plan. [1.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, 1.75 Contact Hours (ANCC)]
1.8 credits

Jan 29, 2021
Pain Management Closed Claims Study
Jacqueline Ross, RN, PhD, Coding Director, and Michelle Swift, RN, JD, Senior Patient Safety Risk Manager
The Doctors Company reviewed medical malpractice claims that closed between 2008 and 2018 and involved pain management physicians as the primary specialty responsible in the claim. That criteria identified 273 claims and lawsuits.