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Mar 07, 2023
Education: Preventing Diagnostic Error in Primary Care
Our complimentary on-demand course outlines best practices for the diagnostic process and offers prevention strategies related to the primary care setting.
From The Doctor’s Advocate

New Mexico Legislative Update
The medical liability landscape in New Mexico has seen significant changes over the past few years. Legislation has been enacted that has fundamentally changed the New Mexico Medical Malpractice Act. These new laws significantly alter the way medical malpractice cases are tried, the amount of damages that can and will be awarded, and the funding and management of the state’s Patient Compensation Fund (PCF). In turn, these new laws directly impact the availability and affordability of medical liability insurance for New Mexico’s healthcare professionals.

Video Oct 12, 2023

Two Unanticipated Forces in 2020-2023: Health Equity and COVID-19
The Institute of Medicine (IOM), now the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), defined quality in healthcare with six domains: safe, effective, efficient, timely, patient-centered, and equitable. Looking at that sixth domain, equitable, means being aware of characteristics and factors that could make patients less likely to receive quality care. These include gender, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and location. To meet the commitment to providing the same quality of care to everyone, medical professionals can make quality their north star. Presented by Mark D. Smith, MD, MBA, Clinical Professor of Medicine, UCSF; Founding President, California Health Care Foundation.

Professional Education
The Need for Close Monitoring in Hyponatremia: Osmotic Demyelination Syndrome
In reviewing closed malpractice claims, The Doctors Company identified mismanagement of sodium levels during correction of severe hyponatremia as a serious problem that can result in catastrophic permanent neurological injury due to osmotic demyelination syndrome (also known as central pontine myelinolysis). This article highlights the importance of close monitoring of sodium levels during correction of severe hyponatremia, with a slow and controlled pace of sodium correction. Contributing factors discussed include clinical judgment with regard to rate of rise of sodium levels, patient monitoring, choice of practice setting, and communication between providers, especially at points of transition in care.

Nov 27, 2023
Continuing Education: Essential Risk Management for Healthcare Professionals
Our complimentary on demand course focuses on the legal elements of a malpractice claim and offers tips to help you demonstrate quality of care and reduce risk.
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.

Jan 03, 2024
Healthcare Practitioners and On-Call Duties: Top Questions on Liability Risks
Richard F. Cahill, JD, Vice President and Associate General Counsel, The Doctors Company
Our experts respond to questions about medical staff bylaws and on-call service requirements.

Apr 24, 2023
Childhood Obesity: Communication Strategies for Healthcare Practitioners
Patti L. Ellis, RN, CPHRM, Patient Safety Risk Manager II, The Doctors Company
Conversations about weight between healthcare professionals and pediatric patients and their parents can have profound, long-term effects on a child or adolescent.

Oct 30, 2023
Should You Offer Your Services as a Paid Clinical Expert?
Richard Cahill, JD, Vice President and Associate General Counsel, The Doctors Company
Consider these key questions before deciding to accept the role of paid expert witness. Functioning as an expert witness is not a role to be entered into lightly.

Dec 19, 2023
Telehealth: Frequently Asked Questions
Sue Boisvert, BSN, MHSA, Senior Patient Safety Risk Manager, The Doctors Company
As the evolution of telehealth continues, we address questions asked by medical and dental practices.