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Professional Education
Delayed Diagnosis of Sepsis (Claims Corner CME)
In reviewing closed malpractice claims, The Doctors Company has identified delayed diagnosis and treatment of sepsis as a serious problem that can result in significant morbidity and mortality. This article highlights the importance of timely recognition of symptoms that point to a diagnosis of sepsis, and the need for quick initiation of treatment. Factors contributing to the delayed diagnosis and treatment of sepsis are discussed, including clinical judgment errors such as failure to note the importance of significant clinical symptoms, failure to seriously consider sepsis as high on the differential diagnosis, failure to use a sepsis recognition tool as an adjunct to the exam, failure to order appropriate tests to rule out sepsis before assuming another diagnosis, and failure to admit the patient to the hospital for treatment.

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.

Video Sep 04, 2018
What to Expect from Litigation: Dr. Gupta's Perspective
Adverse outcomes sometimes occur even when physicians follow the standard of care and do all they can for their patients. This video, the third in a series showcasing actual claims experiences, highlights the stress and worry that accompany a medical malpractice lawsuit. Emergency medicine physician Dr. Malkeet Gupta recounts how being sued for medical malpractice affected him.

Family Medicine/Primary Care
A list of articles, expert insights, and education on patient safety issues and risks in family medicine/primary care.

May 01, 2024, ED Management
Communication Is Major Contributing Factor to ED Malpractice Claims
Jacqueline Ross, RN, PhD, Coding Director in the Department of Patient Safety and Risk Management at The Doctors Company, discusses emergency department (ED) malpractice claims that contain allegations that delayed diagnoses led to poor outcomes or death.

Endorsements
A list of the many national and regional medical societies and specialty organizations that endorse or sponsor The Doctors Company.

Feb 21, 2023
Risk Management Fundamentals for the Practice Manager
Our complimentary program is exclusive to all member practice managers, both clinical and nonclinical, who are new to the role or seek further education regarding the application of risk management and patient safety measures (or principles) in an office-based medical or dental practice.

Nov 08, 1999
Billions for Defense: The Pervasive Nature of Defensive Medicine
Richard E. Anderson, MD, FACP, Chairman, Board of Governors, The Doctors Company
Physicians practice defensive medicine all the time—some acknowledge and accept it, while others believe it is untrue and unconscionable. The Doctors Company CEO and Chairman Richard E. Anderson, MD, FACP, examines the pervasive nature of defensive medicine in this article.

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