Anesthesiology

Apr 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.

Mar 14, 2024
Simulation-Based Training Prepares Practitioners for High-Risk Events
Pamela J. Chambers, DNP, EJD, MSN, CRNA, CPPS, FAANA, Assistant Professor, Nurse Anesthesia Program, Rosalind Franklin University; Recent Two-Term Member, Board of Directors, National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists; Member, TDC Group APC Advisory Board
SIM-based learning benefits clinicians in a variety of specialties, but it is especially important for those who work in high-acuity, high-risk areas like anesthesia.

Professional Education
Anesthesia Care: Preventing Dental Injury
Dental injury claims continue to make up almost a quarter of all anesthesiology claims (22 percent) with over 30 percent of tooth damage claims resulting in indemnity payments to the plaintiff. Due to the frequent occurrence of dental injury claims, anesthesia professionals must be aware of dental injury causes, preventive measures, and steps to take if injury occurs.
0.8 credit

Oct 24, 2022
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
The goals of the preoperative evaluation are to determine the patient's level of risk and to identify opportunities to mitigate it.

Oct 18, 2022
Moderate or Conscious Sedation in the Office Setting
Julie Brightwell, JD, RN, Director, Healthcare System Patient Safety, Department of Patient Safety and Risk Management
Prevent patient injury when providing moderate sedation in the office by incorporating these patient safety and practice improvement strategies.

Aug 04, 2022
Anesthesia Care: Strategies for Preventing Dental Injuries
Brent Lee, MD, MPH, FASA, Director, Clinical Excellence and Performance Improvement, North American Partners in Anesthesia, and Karen Fielder, RN, JD, Vice President, Chief Risk Officer, North American Partners in Anesthesia
Being aware of the causes of tooth damage related to surgical intubation can help anesthesia clinicians avoid future problems.

Professional Education
Patient Safety in Spine Surgery
Spine surgery requires a series of best practice patient safety interventions to reduce the frequency and severity of patient harm while giving the care team the resources to mitigate such harm. Evidence-based clinical methods, pathways, and tools coupled with an evolving culture of patient safety through effective communication, teams, and teamwork has shown to reduce patient harm exponentially. Patient and clinical team experiences are enhanced while ensuring a learning culture is built that approaches surgery from both a technical and nontechnical approach alike.
1.2 credits

Jan 29, 2021
Pain Management Closed Claims Study
Jacqueline Ross, RN, PhD, Coding Director, and Michelle Swift, RN, JD, Senior Patient Safety Risk Manager
The Doctors Company reviewed medical malpractice claims that closed between 2008 and 2018 and involved pain management physicians as the primary specialty responsible in the claim. That criteria identified 273 claims and lawsuits.

Aug 25, 2020
Distracting Devices in Healthcare: Malpractice Implications
Shelley Rizzo, MSN, CPHRM, Senior Patient Safety Risk Manager, The Doctors Company
Digital distraction in healthcare is a threat to patient safety and physician well-being. Personal electronic devices can create a digital distraction so engaging that it consumes awareness, potentially preventing healthcare providers from focusing on the primary task at hand—caring for and interacting with patients.

Apr 29, 2020
Patient Safety in Anesthesia Care
Julie Brightwell, JD, RN, Director, Healthcare System Patient Safety, Department of Patient Safety and Risk Management
Anesthesiologists can reduce potential liability by taking risk management steps, such as obtaining separate informed consent for anesthesia care.

Feb 20, 2020
Anesthesiology Closed Claims Study
Darrell Ranum, JD, CPHRM, Vice President, Department of Patient Safety and Risk Management
The Doctors Company studied 640 anesthesia medical malpractice claims that closed from 2007–2012 and 587 claims that closed between 2013–2018. These studies determined whether the number of patient injuries had decreased and to identify any new trends in claims involving anesthesia care.

Aug 27, 2019
Electronic Health Records Continue to Lead to Medical Malpractice Suits
Darrell Ranum, JD, Vice President of Patient Safety and Risk Management
We analyzed 216 medical malpractice claims that closed from 2010 to 2018 in which EHRs contributed to patient injury. The pace of these claims grew, from a low of seven cases in 2010 to an average of 22.5 cases per year in 2017 and 2018. As EHRs approach near-universal adoption, they may become a more prevalent source of patient safety risk.

Mar 20, 2019
Study of Malpractice Claims Involving Children
Darrell Ranum, JD, CPHRM, Vice President, Patient Safety and Risk Management
The Doctors Company analyzed 1,215 claims filed on behalf of pediatric patients that closed from 2008 through 2017. The study is based on the claims filed against physicians in 52 specialties and subspecialties and includes an overview of the most common types of claims, expert insights into the specific elements that led to patient injury, and risk mitigation strategies.