Professional Education
Loss Lessons: Recognition of Wernicke Encephalopathy
Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) is a syndrome commonly seen in patients with alcohol use disorder who do not take adequate thiamine. WE should be suspected in any patient with conditions that may lead to malnutrition in combination with any of the following symptoms: altered mental status ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, delirium, and hypotension. Considered a medical emergency, it must be reversed to prevent permanent deficits. This case illustrates a cascade of errors which led to permanent disability. Some practical interventions to quickly recognize and reverse the condition are offered following the case presentation, which will be helpful for gastroenterology/gastroenterologists, ophthalmology/ophthalmologists, and neurology/neurologists.
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October 01, 2025, Cardiology Magazine
Incidental Findings in Cardiac Imaging: Clinical Opportunity or Legal Liability?
Advances in cardiac imaging technology are leading to increased detection of incidental, noncardiac abnormalities within scanned areas. Pulmonary nodules are one of the most common incidental findings. If the ordering practitioner does not follow up, an incidental finding may lead to patient harm and result in a malpractice claim.
Disclosure Resources Appendix 1: Empathetic and Non-Empathetic Statements
Physicians should use empathetic statements and avoid non-empathetic statements when disclosing adverse events or complications to patients.
Informed Consent Sample Forms
Customize our informed consent sample forms to your practice and your patients.
Sep 01, 2023
Dental Case Studies
The case studies presented here provide insights into closed claim scenarios that can help dental professionals enhance their practices as they mitigate risks.
During COVID-19, Doctor Donates Tribute Award to Medical School Alma Mater
Richard A. Bond, DO, FAAFM, who recently retired from family practice, donated the entirety of his Tribute® Plan award to the emergency fund of his medical school alma mater, California’s Western University of Health Sciences.
Professional Education
Loss Lessons: Practicing Out of Bounds
Unlicensed staff are vital to efficient patient flow in medical practice. Healthcare organizations have many tasks that are safely and effectively carried out by skilled unlicensed support staff every day. To reach such efficiencies with safety and reliability, careful attention must be given to scope of practice and state and local statutes regarding delegation and supervision. Policies and protocols that outline the scope of practice for unlicensed staff to follow independently, and when they must consult with licensed staff, help even the most talented of your staff understand their boundaries. This case illustrates how informal verbal guidelines can blur the lines and cause well-meaning staff to cross the boundary lines of their scope leading to misdiagnosis and death.
Mar 07, 2025
Foundation Accepting Letters of Intent for 2025 Grants
The Doctors Company Foundation is currently accepting Letters of Intent for its 2025 grant cycle. Letters of Intent will be accepted through the end of business on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.
From
The Doctor’s Advocate
May 11, 2023, Inside Medical Liability Online
Postpartum Malpractice Claims: Can We Understand Preventable Harms and Socioeconomic Factors?
Rates for maternal morbidity and mortality are higher in the U.S. than in any other developed country—and many of the harms suffered by patients are preventable. In a multifactorial study, David L. Feldman, MD, MBA, FACS, Chief Medical Officer, The Doctors Company and TDC Group; Jacqueline Ross, PhD, RN, CPAN, Coding Director, Department of Patient Safety and Risk Management, The Doctors Company, and Shelise Valentine, RNC, MSN, Director of Clinical Education, Healthcare Risk Advisors, part of TDC Group, investigated postpartum claims to develop clinical recommendations to decrease the risks of postpartum morbidity and mortality.
Patient Relations: Anticipate and Address Challenging Situations
Questions about patient relations and patient termination are consistently the top reasons that members request assistance.
