Infection Control

Jun 08, 2021
COVID-19 and Patient Safety in the Medical Office
Debbie Kane Hill, MBA, RN, Senior Patient Safety Risk Manager
As a larger segment of the U.S. population has become vaccinated, COVID-19 cases and deaths have substantially declined. Accordingly, on May 16, the CDC released new safety guidelines for individuals who have been fully vaccinated; however, medical practices should note that these recent changes do not apply to patients and staff within healthcare settings. Recommendations for use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by healthcare workers remain unchanged.

May 14, 2021
Managing Healthcare Practice Operations during COVID-19
Debbie Kane Hill, MBA, RN, Senior Patient Safety Risk Manager
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise and fall across all regions of the United States, practices must adapt and adjust their operations according to regional mandates, which can transition overnight with the shifting environment. For areas where there is a resurgence of the virus or as new strains of the virus emerge, you will need to be attentive to newly imposed restrictions. If disease transmission slows further, authorities may lift additional restrictions.

Professional Education
Breast Cancer Claims – A Review in Gynecology
Breast cancer medical negligence claims are reviewed over a ten-year period to identify the major case types in which the gynecologist is the responsible party. The factors that contributed to those claims as identified by plaintiff and defense physician experts are discussed through case examples with learner questions. Risk mitigation strategies are identified to guide gynecologists in further providing the safest patient care and thereby improving their risk profile.
10.0 credits

Apr 02, 2021
Pre-Procedural Screening and Testing During COVID-19
Throughout the pandemic, surgeons have faced many challenges in adapting to new situations. Now that facilities have resumed elective surgeries, surgeons are facing additional challenges in evaluating and scheduling patients who have recovered from COVID-19. The strategies highlighted here can help ensure a consistent approach in keeping both patients and providers safe.

Mar 01, 2021
Flu or COVID-19? Convergence of Two Viruses Creates Risk of Diagnostic Errors
Susan Shepard, MSN, CPHRM, Senior Director, Patient Safety and Risk Management Education, The Doctors Company
Understanding the differences between the flu and COVID-19 will help to prevent misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of either disease.

Feb 26, 2021
Resources for Elective Procedures During COVID-19
Kim Hathaway, MSN, CPHRM, Patient Safety Healthcare Quality and Risk Management Consultant, and Julie Ritzman, MBA, CPHRM, Vice President, Department of Patient Safety and Risk Management
Your patients most likely want to know about the safety of surgery during the pandemic and what occurs if they contract COVID-19 post-procedure. You may have questions about keeping your staff and patients safe, informing patients about new risks the pandemic has created, and potential liability risks you may be facing.

Jan 28, 2021
Missed Diagnosis of Spinal Epidural Abscess
David B. Troxel, MD, Medical Consultant to The Doctors Company
Spinal epidural abscess requires prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent serious neurological complications.

Professional Education
HIPAA Fundamentals: 2021 Edition
This on-demand program provides an orientation to the basic requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA gives patients many rights with respect to their health information.
1.0 credit

Professional Education
It's the Little Things: An Introduction to Enhancing Patient Relations and Reducing Risks
It's the Little Things is designed to assist medical practices with improvements in patient interactions by looking at how incorporating hospitality as a focus makes a difference. It has been developed to improve multiple facets of patient interaction.
1.3 credits

Professional Education
Lessons Learned – Plastic Surgery Closed Claims Study: An Expert Analysis of Medical Malpractice Allegations
This course is based on the findings of a study conducted by The Doctors Company that analyzed 415 claims that closed against plastic surgeons (from July 2015–December 2018).
1.3 credits

Aug 17, 2020
What Lessons Did We Learn from COVID-19
David L. Feldman, MD, MBA, FACS, Chief Medical Officer, The Doctors Company Group, and Laura Kline, CPCU, MBA, Senior Vice President, Business Development, The Doctors Company
Each year, The Doctors Company assembles healthcare leaders to discuss the most pressing issues affecting physicians, practices, and systems across the spectrum of care. The 2020 Executive Advisory Board meeting gathered top healthcare executives for a virtual discussion of shared pandemic experiences and lessons learned that can help healthcare organizations navigate through COVID-19 and beyond.

May 01, 2020
Elective Surgery Informed Consent and Shared Decision Making During COVID-19
Kim Hathaway, MSN, CPHRM, Patient Safety Healthcare Quality and Risk Management Consultant, and Julie Ritzman, MBA, CPHRM, Vice President, Department of Patient Safety and Risk Management
Restarting elective surgeries and procedures after suspension during the COVID-19 pandemic requires a great deal of planning and consideration of many factors, including those related to patients, locations where you practice, and the larger community.

May 01, 2020
Informed Consent for COVID-19 Risks: Frequently Asked Questions
To support our members and the entire medical profession during this unprecedented time, the following are answers to some frequently asked questions regarding informed consent for COVID-19 risks.

Apr 19, 2019
Rising Number of Measles Cases Creates Numerous Patient Safety Issues
Debbie Hill, MBA, RN, Senior Patient Safety Risk Manager
New cases of measles (rubeola) are once again making national headlines. Physicians should implement effective screening protocols, infection control techniques, and patient education to reduce liability risks and promote patient safety.