August 12, 2024, Part B News
Your Patient Wants Records Sent Via Unsecure Email. Are You Covered?
Richard Cahill, JD, Vice President and Associate General Counsel, The Doctors Company, part of TDC Group, provides recommendations for how to respond when patients request emailed medical records.
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Electronic Health Records Continue to Lead to Medical Malpractice Suits
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.
Community Investment
We are advocates for the health of the entire community—in and out of the clinical setting.
Curbside Consultations: Patient Safety and Legal Risks
Informal consultations are tempting to busy healthcare practitioners because they are convenient and speedy, but these situations also include inherent liability risks for the consulting practitioner.
July 01, 2025, MedCentral
Malpractice Risks for Neurologists: How to Avoid a Lawsuit
Diagnostic error is the most prevalent reason for lawsuits against neurologists, occurring in about one-third of the claims. Experts share top strategies to reduce malpractice risk, including documentation, vigilance about differential diagnoses, and more.
Medical and Dental Record Issues: Frequently Asked Questions
We answer questions frequently asked by members about medical and dental records, such as length of retention, how to destroy hard copy paper records, and creating backups of electronic health records.
The Malpractice Experience of Orthopedic Surgeons 2011 to 2021: Patient Selection and Communication May Mitigate Risk of Claims
This study analyzed 1559 closed medical malpractice claims and suits (814 ambulatory, 745 inpatient) from the loss years of 2011 to 2021 in which orthopedic surgeons were the major responsible service.
March 14, 2022, KevinMD
Tackling Trial Delays, Social Inflation, and Skeptical Jurors in a Pandemic World
Marco Spadacenta, Senior Vice President of Claims for The Doctors Company, discusses the changing face of trials and jurors and suggests what can be done in light of these changes to successfully defend physicians in medical malpractice cases.
OB Patient Safety Credit Program
We are proud to offer the OB Patient Safety Credit Program, our voluntary program that is open to all qualifying member obstetricians, family practitioners providing obstetrical care, and certified nurse midwives (CNMs) who are actively involved in deliveries.
Diagnostic Error in General Surgery: Cognitive Bias and Systems Issues in Medical Malpractice Claims (Abstract)
Although claims against general surgeons primarily allege technical surgical-type errors, diagnostic error is the second most frequent allegation against or case type for general surgeons. Analysis of malpractice claims can elucidate the causes of and solutions to diagnostic errors. This study considers differences between diagnostic errors, both cognitive and systemic, committed by general surgeons in the inpatient vs. the outpatient setting.