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Professional Education
Preventing Dictation Errors for Advanced Practice Clinicians
Emergency medicine providers are increasingly using voice recognition programs, such as Dragon Direct Voice Recognition Program, to document encounters. In reviewing closed malpractice claims, The Doctors Company identified dictation errors as a significant patient safety risk factor. The following case highlights the importance of timely recognition of dictation errors to ensure accuracy of the permanent electronic health record (EHR). This is particularly important when using a voice recognition program to document encounters in the busy emergency department. In this case, the voice recognition system was Dragon Direct Voice Recognition Program.

Jun 05, 2023
Malpractice Lawsuits and COVID-19: Top Allegations and Protections for Healthcare Professionals
Peter A. Kolbert, JD, Senior Vice President for Claims and Litigation Management, Healthcare Risk Advisors, part of TDC Group
Malpractice claims related to the pandemic’s early days are now reaching courts. What types of claims related to COVID-19 will we see? And will the qualified immunities enacted to protect healthcare professionals withstand challenges?
From The Doctor’s Advocate

Professional Education
Cardiology–Business of Medicine: Lessons from Medical Malpractice Claims
This educational activity is from an article that was originally published in Cardiology Magazine in June 2023. The article explains the Three Ps—Prevent, Preclude, and Prevail—as key elements to reduce clinician risk related to malpractice litigation. This article reviews an actual cardiology closed claims lawsuit and applies the analysis of the Three Ps. It concludes by explaining the reasons the lawsuit was settled for a nominal amount.

Mar 12, 2025
Learning From Medical Oncology Malpractice Claims
Jacqueline Ross, RN, PhD, Coding Director, and Traci King, RN, LNCC, Patient Safety Analyst, Department of Patient Safety and Risk Management, The Doctors Company, Part of TDC Group
Cancer remains a leading cause of death in the U.S., with certain types of cancer increasing despite overall declines in mortality. By reviewing closed malpractice claims involving the medical oncology specialty, our study aims to gain insights into factors affecting cancer care and treatment.

Aug 06, 2021
The Malpractice Experience of Neurosurgeons 2014–2019: Patient Selection and Communication May Mitigate Risk of Claims (Abstract)
Jacqueline Ross, RN, PhD, Coding Director, Department of Patient Safety and Risk Management
The Doctors Company conducted an analysis of medical malpractice claims against neurosurgeons that closed between the years of 2014 and 2019. This evaluation included 302 claims and lawsuits, and examined allegations, diagnoses, procedures, and contributing factors, as well as indemnities and expenses paid. The claims experience of neurosurgeon members of The Doctors Company was then benchmarked against a national sample of other neurosurgeons.

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.

Aug 06, 2024
Office-Based Medical Malpractice Claims: Study Examines Administrative and Clinical Systems Factors
Jacqueline Ross, RN, PhD, Coding Director, and Patti L. Ellis, RN, CPHRM, Patient Safety Risk Manager II, Department of Patient Safety and Risk Management, The Doctors Company, Part of TDC Group
Ensuring patient safety is the goal in each office encounter. As evidenced by medical malpractice claims, however, harmful errors can occur that lead to poor outcomes for patients. We have conducted an analysis to better understand the underlying administrative and clinical systems factors that contribute to office-based medical malpractice claims.

Jun 23, 2023
The Malpractice Experience of Orthopedic Surgeons 2011 to 2021: Patient Selection and Communication May Mitigate Risk of Claims
Jacqueline Ross, RN, PhD, Coding Director, and Eric E. Cleckler, MSN, RN, Patient Safety Risk Manager II, Department of Patient Safety and Risk Management, The Doctors Company, Part of TDC Group
This study analyzed 1559 closed medical malpractice claims and suits (814 ambulatory, 745 inpatient) from the loss years of 2011 to 2021 in which orthopedic surgeons were the major responsible service.

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