February 21, 2024, Journal of the American College of Cardiology
Professional Liability: The Problem That Will Not Go Away
The frequency of malpractice claims in the United States has trended downward in the last 10 to 15 years, however, there is an upward trend in the “severity” of claims, driven in large part by “nuclear” jury verdicts. Cardiologists and other clinicians should always be aware that a lack of communication is a common causal factor in malpractice suits. Richard E. Anderson, MD, FACP, Chairman and CEO, The Doctors Company and TDC Group, investigates claim amounts and severity alongside three prominent physicians.
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Exclusively Endorsed by ASPS
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons exclusively endorses The Doctors Company. ASPS members receive unique benefits, including exclusive program discounts and credits.
December 15, 2023, Inside Medical Liability
MPL Cases: What Are the Primary Drivers of High-Indemnity Medical Malpractice Claims?
Jacqueline Ross, RN, PhD, Coding Director, and Kathrine Soulsby, RN, BSN, Senior Patient Safety Analyst, The Doctors Company, part of TDC Group, investigate high-dollar medical malpractice litigation and explain how reducing diagnostic errors is paramount to enhancing patient safety and mitigating loss costs.
Community Oncology Alliance Partnership
The Community Oncology Alliance (COA) has chosen The Doctors Company, part of TDC Group, as the exclusively endorsed medical malpractice insurer for its members.
Professional Education
Loss Lessons: Practicing Out of Bounds
Unlicensed staff are vital to efficient patient flow in medical practice. Healthcare organizations have many tasks that are safely and effectively carried out by skilled unlicensed support staff every day. To reach such efficiencies with safety and reliability, careful attention must be given to scope of practice and state and local statutes regarding delegation and supervision. Policies and protocols that outline the scope of practice for unlicensed staff to follow independently, and when they must consult with licensed staff, help even the most talented of your staff understand their boundaries. This case illustrates how informal verbal guidelines can blur the lines and cause well-meaning staff to cross the boundary lines of their scope leading to misdiagnosis and death.
Informed Consent: Substance and Signature
True informed consent is a process of managing a patient’s expectations through shared decision making. It is not just a signature on a document.
Healthcare Staffing Shortages: Decrease Practice Risks
Ongoing staffing shortages negatively influence the quality and depth of many primary and support roles throughout the healthcare workforce. The scarcity of employees has also contributed to elevated levels of stress and burnout.
Overview of Obesity-Related Malpractice Claims
The Doctors Company continues to see an increase in lawsuits involving patients with obesity.
Member Benefits for AAO-HNS
The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery sponsors The Doctors Company. AAO-HNS members receive unique benefits, including exclusive program discounts and credits.
February 23, 2023, Today's Hospitalist
The Pandemic’s Impact on Malpractice Claims
Peter Kolbert, JD, Senior Vice President, Claim & Litigation Services, Healthcare Risk Advisors (HRA), part of TDC Group, discusses the impact the pandemic had on malpractice claims as we approach the third anniversary of COVID-19.
