Healthcare Risk Management – December 1, 2002
December 1, 2002
View Archives Issues
-
The mission of smallpox transmission: Risk managers seek to minimize trouble
The federal governments plan for vaccinating key health care workers against smallpox immediately set off warning bells for risk managers. Though it appears the risk for health care providers wont be as bad as some initially feared, that doesnt mean you can take the smallpox vaccinations lightly. -
On-call physicians pose a potential EMTALA risk
Two of a risk managers constant worries can become one major problem if you dont set up your on-call program correctly, cautions an attorney who has seen hospitals run afoul of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) because doctors refused to come to the hospital when called. -
Joint Commission surveys will change in a big way
It appears the Oakbrook Terrace, IL- based Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations has heard all the wailing by hospitals across the country and is announcing a major overhaul of the survey process. Under the new system, the accreditation process is supposed to be more relevant to actual patient care and less of a hassle. -
Guest Columns: Back to basics: Revisit ED fundamentals to lower risk
Reducing the risks in an environment as complex as the emergency department requires the support and involvement of decision makers at all levels of the organization. Despite the complexity of emergency department (ED) liability, sometimes a review of the basics can greatly reduce your risk and improve patient safety. -
OSHA will inspect nursing homes with unusual rates
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) says it soon will begin targeted inspections of nursing and personal care facilities experiencing injury and illness rates higher than the industry average. -
Survey: Quarter of docs drink alcohol while on call
While most doctors are against drinking any alcohol while on call, nearly one-quarter of the 135 doctors surveyed in a recent study from Hamilton County, TN, admitted to drinking alcohol while on call. Sixty-four percent reported having encountered colleagues whom they suspected had used alcohol, and 27% thought they had seen physicians impaired by alcohol while on call. -
Most health providers say patient safety is improved
Despite a work force shortage that contributes to medical errors, 90% of poll respondents at a national gathering of hospital patient safety experts said they believe their organizations have made a credible effort to improve patient safety. More than a third of the respondents said that hospital pharmacies are addressing patient safety the best within their organizations. -
Smallpox vaccinations imminent for hospitals
The Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recently approved a plan that calls for smallpox immunization of 510,000 health care workers. -
Legal Review & Commentary: Drug abuse leads to nerve damage, and the settlement is substantial
News: An orthopedic surgeon with a history of cocaine abuse operated on a patient and severed a nerve root. During the patients recovery from surgery, the orthopedists drug use became public knowledge, and he resigned from the medical staff. No other physician was assigned to the patient until follow-up surgery was performed. -
Legal Review & Commentary: Lidocaine-induced seizures lead to $5.6 million verdict
News: A woman underwent elective breast augmentation and, in addition to general anesthesia, was given lidocaine as a local anesthetic. After surgery, in the recovery room, a nurse on duty noticed the patient was unresponsive and twitching.