Obstetrics and Gynecology

Jul 27, 2018
Distracting Devices in Healthcare: Malpractice Implications
Shelley Rizzo, MSN, CPHRM, Patient Safety Risk Manager II
Digital distraction in healthcare is emerging as a great 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.

Jun 26, 2018
Conflicting Guidelines on Mammograms Can Pose Risks
David B. Troxel, MD, Medical Director, The Doctors Company.
Breast cancer screening guidelines issued by national organizations and medical specialties have inconsistent recommendations about mammogram screening ages and intervals, which can create potential liability for delayed or missed diagnoses. Learn how to reduce these mammography risks.

Apr 25, 2018
A Complication Involving Laparoscopic Lysis of Adhesions
David B. Troxel, MD, Medical Director, Board of Governors
A medical malpractice case about laparoscopic lysis of adhesions involved negligent performance of surgery and mismanagement of postoperative care.

Mar 26, 2018
Nurse Practitioner Closed Claims: Risk Mitigation Strategies
Strategies to help nurse practitioners and physicians prevent patient injuries.
From The Doctor’s Advocate

Oct 24, 2017
Give Your Patient Safety Culture a Check Up Using Assessment Survey
Robin Diamond, MSN, JD, RN, Senior Vice President of Patient Safety and Risk Management, The Doctors Company
Healthcare managers are making concerted efforts to cultivate a pervasive culture of patient safety. Creating a patient safety culture shifts the focus away from the blame game that punishes individuals for failures—which can increase liability over the long term—toward creating policies and procedures that cultivate an environment of openness and foster patient safety.

Oct 24, 2017
Doctors Examine Injury Risks with Malpractice Closed Claims
Robin Diamond, MSN, JD, RN, Senior Vice President of Patient Safety and Risk Management, The Doctors Company
Taking a close look at research into real-life malpractice claims and incorporating some of the findings into their practices is one way physicians are reducing risks of adverse events.

Aug 28, 2017
Obstetrical Closed Claims: What Can We Learn?
Robin Diamond, JD, RN, Senior Vice President, Department of Patient Safety and Risk Management, and Susan Shepard, MSN, RN, Senior Director, Patient Safety and Risk Management Education
These lessons learned from our analysis of closed obstetrical claims are part of our CME article series.
From The Doctor’s Advocate

May 03, 2017
Guide to Patient Safety and Reducing Liability in Obstetrics and Gynecology
This topic-based guide to reducing liability in obstetrics and gynecology is an essential reference for obstetricians, gynecologists, family practitioners, and advanced practice providers who are actively involved in delivering women’s healthcare.

Apr 10, 2017
Latex Precautions in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Rosanne Cain, BSN, LHRM, Patient Safety/Risk Manager II
Recognizing latex allergies is an important patient safety precaution.

Mar 31, 2017
Case Summary: A Delay in Diagnosing Breast Cancer
Donald Wood CRNA, CPHRM, Patient Safety Risk Manager II, Department of Patient Safety and Risk Management
This article discusses the benefits of examining the source of behavior for non-adherence with cancer diagnostic recommendations.

Mar 01, 2017
Weekend Call Presents Unique Challenges with Surrogate Birth
Amy Wasdin, RN, CPHRM, Patient Safety Risk Manager, Department of Patient Safety and Risk Management.
Communication among healthcare providers, patients, and adoptive parents is critical.

Mar 01, 2017
Reduce Patient Safety Risks with Vaccinations
Debbie Hill, RN, MBA, CPHRM, and Lisa McCorkle, MSN, CPHRM, Patient Safety Risk Managers, The Doctors Company
Whether seeing patients for back-to-school immunizations or preparing adult patients for travel abroad, this article can help doctors assess the vaccine administration protocol in their practice to reduce risks and enhance patient safety.

Feb 18, 2017
Up for Review: Five Keys to Managing Online Criticism
Kevin Pho, MD, Founder and Editor, KevinMD.com
No matter how professional and caring a doctor you may be, eventually you will face criticism on the web. Here are five keys to managing that criticism.

Nov 30, 2016
Watch for the Signs: Screen All Patients for Suicidal Thoughts
Robin Diamond, MSN, JD, RN, Senior Vice President of Patient Safety and Risk Management, The Doctors Company
Patients with suicidal thoughts or ideation appear occasionally in physician encounters. Any patient, no matter what issue is being treated and in any setting, could be at risk for suicide. A consistent and formal screening process, plus a response plan, will protect both the patient and the physician.

Aug 09, 2016
What Doctors Need to Know About Zika
Dan Wright, JD, RN, vice president of patient safety, The Doctors Company
Physicians across the U.S. should practice vigilance to ensure patient safety and reduce risk of potential adverse events as we continue to learn more about the Zika virus.

May 12, 2016
Obesity: A Common Comorbidity in Malpractice Claims
David B. Troxel, MD, Medical Director, Board of Governors
From The Doctor’s Advocate

May 12, 2016
Specialty Advisory Boards: Bringing Together Expertise
Robin Diamond, JD, RN, Senior Vice President, Department of Patient Safety and Risk Management, and Miranda Felde, MHA, CPHRM, Assistant Vice President, Department of Patient Safety and Risk Management
We provide forums for healthcare leaders to exchange ideas and identify ways to help us advance the practice of good medicine.
From The Doctor’s Advocate

May 01, 2016
Effective Obstetrical Team Communication
Cynthia Morrison, RN, CPHRM, Senior Patient Safety/Risk Manager
Effective communication requires a team effort for the exchange of concise and relevant information.

Dec 08, 2015
New Early Warning Criteria Could Reduce Maternal Mortality
Susan Mann, MD, The Doctors Company OB Advisory Board Member
Guest author Dr. Susan Mann reports on a new initiative to address the significant increase in maternal deaths.
From The Doctor’s Advocate

Oct 19, 2015
Navigating Risks in Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment: How Physicians Can Enhance Patient Safety
Penny Greenberg, RN, MS, Senior Program Director, Patient Safety Services, CRICO Strategies; Darrell Ranum, JD, CPHRM, Vice President, Patient Safety and Risk Management, The Doctors Company; Dana Siegal, RN, CPHRM, Director, Patient Safety, CRICO Strategies
Patients diagnosed with breast cancer must navigate the complex healthcare system while dealing with the emotions of their diagnosis, relying on the expertise, communication, and empathy of caregivers who practice in environments with inherent risks. A study by The Doctors Company and CRICO Strategies reveals the top patient safety risks in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, and how to reduce those risks.

Oct 01, 2015
What Do You Know About Breast Reconstruction?
David M. Charles, MD
Breast cancer is a devastating diagnosis and the treatment tends to have a direct impact on a woman’s self-esteem, especially if there has been a mastectomy or partial mastectomy. Just knowing breast reconstruction is an option is consoling; it offers hope for many patients. Yet physicians and patients typically have questions about the process of breast reconstruction.

Jul 13, 2015
Shoulder Dystocia Documentation: Implementing a Protocol in Your Facility
Pamela Willis BSN, JD, Patient Safety Risk Manager.
Shoulder dystocia claims have traditionally been among the most problematic to defend.

May 01, 2015
Obstetrics Closed Claims Study
This review of 882 obstetrical claims identifies the most common patient allegations and the specific factors contributing to patient injury.

May 01, 2015
Tips for Reducing Medical Malpractice Claims in Obstetrics
The Doctors Company’s Obstetrics Closed Claims Study, a review of 882 obstetrical claims that closed from 2007-2014, revealed underlying vulnerabilities that place patients at risk and increase liability for doctors. These tips can help physicians address these risks.

Apr 20, 2015
Mid-level Practitioner Liability—Preventive Action and Loss Reduction Plan
This booklet can help practitioners avoid liability risks when hiring or working with mid-level practitioners.

Jan 22, 2015
Working with Patients Who Do Not Follow the Treatment Plan
Patients who do not follow the treatment plan may become high liability risks because their behavior often exacerbates existing health problems, which can lead to negative outcomes.

Dec 10, 2014
Editorial Comment on Maintenance of Certification
David B. Troxel, MD, Medical Director, Board of Governors
Dr. Troxel suggests ways to restructure the MoC examination process to adapt it to changes in the healthcare delivery system.
From The Doctor’s Advocate

Dec 02, 2014
Diagnostic Error in Medical Practice by Specialty
David B. Troxel, MD, Medical Director, Board of Governors
This closed claim review focuses on the variance between specialties in the incidence of diagnosis-related error.
From The Doctor’s Advocate

Aug 23, 2014
Patient Safety Alert: ACOG Releases Special Report
From The Doctor’s Advocate

Jun 25, 2014
Rising Number of Infectious Disease Cases Creates Patient Safety Issues
Debbie Hill, RN, MBA, LHRM, Patient Safety Risk Manager, The Doctors Company
Infectious diseases and their inherent liability risks are becoming more common. This article highlights ways physicians can increase patient safety and reduce liability risks when outbreaks occur.

Dec 20, 2013
Interactive Guide to Patient Safety for Office Practices
This interactive guide is designed to help you uncover areas of potential malpractice exposure in your practice.

Sep 20, 2013
Avoid Missed or Delayed Diagnosis of BRCA-Based Breast Cancer
Physicians should be aware of the risk factors for BRCA gene-based cancer in order to identify those who need testing and to avoid delayed or missed diagnosis.

Feb 01, 2013
Interactive Guide for Obstetrical Practices
This interactive guide is designed to help you uncover areas of potential malpractice exposure in your obstetrical practice.

Dec 14, 2012
Interactive Guide for Hospitals: Clinical Departments: Obstetrics (OB) Units
This guide can help uncover areas of potential malpractice exposure in the obstetrics (OB) unit.

Aug 27, 2012
Preventing Delayed Treatment of Fetal Distress
Excerpted by Patti Herrera, RN, BSN, Patient Safety Analyst, from “Delay in Treatment of Fetal Distress” an article by Larry Veltman, MD, and Darrell Ranum, JD, CPHRM, that originally appeared in The Doctor’s Advocate, third quarter 2012 (www.thedoctors.com/advocate).
Preventing delay in treatment of fetal distress requires readiness for and recognition and management of complications, improved communications, and required technical skills.

Aug 23, 2012
Delay in Treatment of Fetal Distress
Larry Veltman, MD, and Darrell Ranum, JD, CPHRM
We studied claims alleging delay in treatment of fetal distress in the hope of reducing neonatal injuries.

Aug 01, 2012
Frequently Asked Questions: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Cynthia Morrison, RN, CPHRM, Patient Safety/Risk Management Account Executive.
Our experts answer questions about topics in obstetrics and gynecology, including cesarean delivery on maternal request and screening mammograms.

Jul 08, 2011
Keys to Patient Safety for Obstetrics and Gynecology
Pamela Willis, BSN, JD, Patient Safety Risk Management Account Executive.
In obstetrics and gynecology, doctors can reduce potential liability by following risk management strategies, such as adopting an "induction checklist."

Mar 01, 2008
Getting Sued for Breast Cancer
This article, originally published in The Doctor’s Advocate in 2001, was written by Chairman and CEO Richard E. Anderson, MD, FACP.
Suits involving breast cancer are the most common cause of malpractice litigation in the United States. This article lists the most common issues that lead to claims.