Professional Education
Failure to Diagnose Congenital Asplenia Results in Tragic Patient Outcome
(Claims Corner CME)
Referral process system failures can contribute to delayed diagnosis of serious conditions which can lead to severe consequences for patients. Problems can arise when referral is needed but is not initiated properly or timely, when the specialist does not ensure their recommendations are fully and clearly communicated back to the referring clinician, when the referring clinician does not understand or act on the specialist’s recommendations, or when the referring office fails to track their open referrals to ensure they have received all consultation reports. This program will examine a malpractice case involving all the above referral-related deficiencies, leading to a catastrophic result for the patient and significant liability for the involved clinicians. Risk management strategies will be provided for any practice to improve the referral process and to prevent similar tragedies from occurring.
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January 31, 2025, PSQH: The Podcast
PSQH: The Podcast Episode 122 – The Growing Role of Advanced Practice Clinicians
Laura Kline, MBA, CPCU, Senior Vice President of Business Development for The Doctors Company and TDC Group, discusses how nurse practitioners and physician assistants are taking on greater responsibility in primary care delivery. These expanded roles offer opportunities for all members of the healthcare delivery team to operate at the top of their licenses.
Family Medicine/Primary Care Resources
Get risk management/patient safety resources and free accredited education opportunities for family medicine/primary care clinicians.
Facing Diminished Trust, Doctors Question Their Calling
A new survey of physicians by The Doctors Company confirms a familiar but deepening concern: Few physicians would recommend a career in medicine.
Using AI to Automate the Patient Referral Process
One of the greatest challenges for healthcare professionals with the rising influence of AI in healthcare is how to safely adopt the technology and integrate it into the treatment experience.
Professional Education
Preventing Errors in Preoperative Clearance (Claims Corner)
Primary care providers (PCPs) routinely manage complex elderly patients with multiple comorbidities who require elective surgery. Errors can occur when providers are rushed, there is a lack of effective interoffice communication, and the patient has a low health literacy. Communication and care coordination issues are commonly noted among PCPs and consulting specialists. The Doctors Company has analyzed closed claims where PCPs have been held responsible for failures in surgical mismanagement, specifically preop clearance. This program will highlight the contributing factors identified in malpractice claims involving medical clearance and provide practice strategies for reducing liability risk.
April 19, 2024, Anesthesia and Analgesia
Anesthesia-Related Closed Claims in Free-Standing Ambulatory Surgery Centers
As higher acuity procedures continue to move from hospital-based operating rooms (HORs) to free-standing ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), concerns for patient safety remain high. We conducted a contemporary, descriptive analysis of anesthesia-related liability closed claims from The Doctors Company to understand risks to patient safety in the free-standing ASC setting, compared to HORs.
Dec 02, 2024
Continuing Education: Reducing Vaccine Liability Exposure for Pediatric Healthcare Professionals
Our complimentary for-credit course provides best practices for reducing vaccine-related liability exposures.
From
The Doctor’s Advocate
Cost and Impact of Defensive Medicine
Physicians practice defensive medicine all the time—some acknowledge and accept it, while others believe it is untrue and unconscionable.
Disaster Preparedness for Your Office Practice
Natural disasters can occur suddenly and without warning, highlighting the importance of advance preparation. Make sure your practice has a plan in place.