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Jun 23, 2023
The Malpractice Experience of Orthopedic Surgeons 2011 to 2021: Patient Selection and Communication May Mitigate Risk of Claims
Jacqueline Ross, RN, PhD, Coding Director, and Eric E. Cleckler, MSN, RN, Patient Safety Risk Manager II, Department of Patient Safety and Risk Management, The Doctors Company, Part of TDC Group
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.

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.

Feb 12, 2025
Medical and Dental Record Retention
Richard Cahill, JD, Vice President and Associate General Counsel, The Doctors Company, Part of TDC Group
Retaining well-maintained patient records helps medical and dental professionals ensure continuity of care; protect against any future professional liability claims, licensing board complaints, and peer review inquiries; and can assist when responding to investigations by governmental compliance agencies and billing audits.

Jan 12, 2024
Interoperable Telehealth: Patient Safety Considerations
Sue Boisvert, BSN, MHSA, Senior Patient Safety Risk Manager, The Doctors Company
As efforts to connect patients and providers through telehealth continue, new delivery challenges have become apparent.

Professional Education
Reducing Vaccine Liability Exposure for Pediatric Healthcare Professionals
This continuing education program provides the pediatric healthcare professional with best practices for identifying, reducing, and managing vaccine-related liability exposures. By drawing on our professional liability closed claims data, we have identified common errors that reflect the most common issues associated with vaccine care and treatment in the pediatric population. In addition, this program will identify best practices for effective communication and management of vaccine hesitant patients/families and caretakers.

Jul 01, 2023
Are You Prepared for a Medicare Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) Audit?
Kathleen Stillwell, MPA/HSA, RN, Senior Patient Safety Risk Manager, The Doctors Company
RAC audits can be triggered by innocent documentation errors. These strategies can help you assess your risk for coding and billing errors and establish compliance and practice standards.

Documentation/EHR/Patient Records Resources
Get risk management/patient safety resources and free accredited education on top issues surrounding documentation.

Jun 18, 2021
Study of Emergency Department Diagnosis Case Type Malpractice Claims: Abstract
Jacqueline Ross, RN, PhD, Coding Director, Department of Patient Safety and Risk Management
A study of diagnosis-type closed medical malpractice claims from care that occurred in the ED from 2014 through the second quarter of 2019 using closed coded claims from The Doctors Company.

February 26, 2025, STAT News
Are We Adopting AI Scribes Based on…Vibes?
This article examines AI-driven scribe technologies and their marketing claims. It also cites the article "Ambient Listening–Legal and Ethical Issues," in which I. Glenn Cohen, JD; Julie Ritzman, MBA, CPHRM; and Richard F. Cahill, JD, provide a comprehensive analysis of the legal and ethical considerations associated with the use of ambient listening technologies in healthcare settings.

Professional Education
Failure to Diagnose Congenital Asplenia Results in Tragic Patient Outcome (Claims Corner CME)
Referral process system failures can contribute to delayed diagnosis of serious conditions which can lead to severe consequences for patients. Problems can arise when referral is needed but is not initiated properly or timely, when the specialist does not ensure their recommendations are fully and clearly communicated back to the referring clinician, when the referring clinician does not understand or act on the specialist’s recommendations, or when the referring office fails to track their open referrals to ensure they have received all consultation reports. This program will examine a malpractice case involving all the above referral-related deficiencies, leading to a catastrophic result for the patient and significant liability for the involved clinicians. Risk management strategies will be provided for any practice to improve the referral process and to prevent similar tragedies from occurring.