Healthcare Risk Management
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State Laws on PHI Require Careful Consideration
Complying with HIPAA requirements on patient privacy may be difficult sometimes, but it is not enough. State laws also apply — and they may come with different requirements.
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Check Insurance Coverage for Natural Disasters
Healthcare organizations should know if they are adequately insured for natural disasters. Organizations should review their policies with their insurance agents to understand what coverage they have for natural disasters and what additional coverage they might need.
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Court Dismisses Patient’s Complaint After Time Runs Out on State’s Statute of Repose
This ruling serves as a reminder of the importance of state-specific statutes of repose and their implications on medical practice and potential litigation, especially in circumstances interacting with federal law, where applicable.
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Court Orders New Trial After Finding Hospital’s Expert Lacked Necessary Qualifications
This case shows how expert testimony plays a crucial role in establishing the cause of injuries and determining liability in medical malpractice litigation. It also highlights the importance of selecting an expert who is not only qualified to offer an opinion on general causation, but one who is qualified to offer an opinion on specific causation. The difference between the two is the difference between a favorable verdict and a retrial.
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Employee Curiosity Sometimes Overcomes HIPAA Training
Recently, a hospital in Washington was fined $240,000 in a settlement with the Office for Civil Rights over allegations that 23 security guards snooped in the medical records of 419 patients — a reminder that this pernicious type of HIPAA violation is difficult to eliminate.
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Plan Now for Eventual HIPAA Changes
HHS has been expected to finalize proposed modifications to HIPAA in 2023, but it now appears that will not happen until December 2024 — or later. Whenever the changes come, covered entities will need to review their compliance policies and update them within 180 days of final rulemaking.
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Patient Advocates Launch National Diabetes Treatment Recognition Program
Hospitals can be evaluated based on their care for patients with diabetes during admission, stay, and discharge.
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Researchers Seek to Standardize Patient Handoff Protocols
Ensuring a smooth and safe transition to the next step of the care continuum is vital to protecting patients.
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Medical Malpractice Action Failed When Expert Testimony Did Not Comply with Statute
This ruling is a reminder of the crucial importance of consulting with counsel and investigating statutory requirements when selecting an expert witness who is not in the same profession as the defendant.
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Failure to Inspect Patient After Cesarean Section Leads to Cardiac Arrests and Hysterectomy, $8 Million Award
This case serves as a stark reminder to medical professionals about the critical importance of closely monitoring patients after surgery and preparing to intervene promptly if complications arise. The incident underscores the significance of knowing the risks and potential complications associated with emergency cesarean sections.