Professional Education
Loss Lessons: Recognition of Wernicke Encephalopathy
Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) is a syndrome commonly seen in patients with alcohol use disorder who do not take adequate thiamine. WE should be suspected in any patient with conditions that may lead to malnutrition in combination with any of the following symptoms: altered mental status ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, delirium, and hypotension. Considered a medical emergency, it must be reversed to prevent permanent deficits. This case illustrates a cascade of errors which led to permanent disability. Some practical interventions to quickly recognize and reverse the condition are offered following the case presentation, which will be helpful for gastroenterology/gastroenterologists, ophthalmology/ophthalmologists, and neurology/neurologists.
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Professional Education
When Personal Relationships Interfere with the Standard of Care for Advanced Practice Clinicians
The Doctors Company rigorously analyzed 988 claims* against internal medicine physicians that closed from 2009–2018. Regardless of the outcome, all cases that closed from 2009–2018 were included in this analysis—an approach that helps better understand what motivates patients to pursue claims and gain a broader overview of the system failures and processes that result in patient harm.
Professional Education
Primary Care: Innovations for In-Depth Practice
Primary care is facing a physician shortage. How clinicians approach the evolution of primary care will determine whether it becomes a touch-and-pass specialty or whether it can remain a deep specialty built on strong relationships with patients. In this CME program, Megan Mahoney, MD, MBA, highlights practice redesign strategies to help meet the shortage with team-based care and the mindful application of new technologies.
Video Aug 05, 2018
Dr. Elizabeth R. Nye, an obstetrician and gynecologist in Chicago, describes how she defended herself against a medical malpractice lawsuit involving a complicated delivery that led to the death of the infant. Dr. Nye recounts the emotional impact of the lawsuit.
Video May 22, 2024
Healthcare practices and institutions are affected by the same economic forces that impact the communities and business climates in which they operate. Social inflation has reshaped numerous markets, but its effect on healthcare has been monumental. But what exactly is social inflation? Robert White, President of The Doctors Company and TDC Group and industry-leading expert on the impact of social inflation on medical professional liability, explains in this short clip.
January 30, 2023, Healthcare Business Today
Why Medical Clearance Is Really a Preoperative Evaluation
Debra Davidson, MJ, CPHRM, Senior Patient Safety Risk Manager, The Doctors Company, and David L. Feldman, MD, MBA, FACS, Chief Medical Officer, The Doctors Company and TDC Group, Senior Vice President, Healthcare Risk Advisors, discuss how the goals of the preoperative evaluation are to determine the patient's level of risk and to identify opportunities to mitigate it.
June 12, 2023, Part B News
As Gun Laws Loosen, Prepare for Possibly Armed Patients
As gun laws grow more permissive across the country, clinicians should be aware of the possibility that patients may attend medical appointments armed. Richard F. Cahill, Esq., Vice President and Associate General Counsel, The Doctors Company, part of TDC Group, provides guidance how to prepare for untoward events.
June 24, 2024, Part B News
While Bird Flu Crossover Risk Remains Low, Take Easy Steps to Be Ready
Given recent global and national concerns over the possibility of animal-to-human transmission of bird flu (H5N1), practices should take steps to get ready. Rich Cahill, Vice President and Associate General Counsel at The Doctors Company, shares the most up-to-date guidance.
NJ PURE Announces Exclusive Agreement with The Doctors Company Risk Retention Group for Industry-Leading Malpractice Coverage
NJ Physicians United Reciprocal Exchange (NJ PURE) announced today it is exiting the medical malpractice insurance marketplace and has entered into a relationship designed to offer its insureds access to a leading A rated medical liability carrier with The Doctors Company Risk Retention Group (RRG).
Professional Education
Clinical Presentations Cause Delays: Failure to Diagnose Myocardial Infarction
In reviewing closed malpractice claims, The Doctors Company identified missed or delayed diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI) in the ambulatory internal medicine setting as a reoccurring problem. This course highlights the importance of recognizing the varying clinical presentations of MI and contributing factors associated with failure to diagnose and treat. Assumptions, lack of a thorough history and physical, communication failures, and failure to recognizing atypical signs and symptoms are highlighted in this case study.