By Laura M. Cascella, MA Providing coordinated, competent patient care involves precision at many points in the clinical process, but particularly in sending and receiving information. Yet, “the increasingly complex healthcare environment can complicate the communication process and hinder the information exchanges necessary for optimum care.”1 Communication breakdowns in healthcare are not uncommon, and they

By Laura M. Cascella, MA The term “medical error” often conjures thoughts of wrong site surgeries, procedures performed on the wrong patients, foreign objects left inside patients, medication mistakes, and other serious mishaps. Although these errors certainly deserve attention, the visibility surrounding them can easily overshadow common, but less sensational lapses. Diagnostic errors, for example,

In the wake of the March 13, 2014 Florida Supreme Court ruling that a 2003 law limiting damages in medical-malpractice cases was deemed unconstitutional, a more difficult, “hard market” is predicted to hit Florida’s malpractice insurance market soon. What should we be considering in our medical practice to be prepared? Just like creating a hurricane

John Commins, for HealthLeaders Media, April 28, 2014 The Florida Supreme Court's ruling this spring invalidating that state's 11-year-old cap on damages in medical malpractice suits marks the latest successful challenge to state laws across the nation that critics say enrich insurance companies but deny due process to grievously injured people. "It is unfortunately a

Tweet By Matt Gracey, Jr. On Thursday, March 13, 2014, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that a 2003 law limiting damages in medical-malpractice cases is unconstitutional. The long-awaited ruling came in the case of a Panhandle woman who died of complications after giving birth in 2006. The court ruled 5-2 that a cap on "non-economic"

On Thursday, March 13, 2014, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that a 2003 law limiting damages in medical-malpractice cases is unconstitutional. The long-awaited ruling came in the case of a Panhandle woman who died of complications after giving birth in 2006. The court ruled 5-2 that a cap on “non-economic” damages violates the Equal Protection

Tweet Cyber liability is the risk posed by conducting business over the Internet, over other networks, or using electronic storage technology, including laptops, phones and tablets. Exposures are generally classified as a “first-party” or a “third-party” cyber liability.  A “first-party” cyber liability occurs when your own information is breached.  A “third-party” cyber liability occurs when customer

By Bill Gompers Most experts are predicting healthcare providers’ liability exposure will dramatically increase this year and in the immediate future. Many drivers are contributing to this situation, including the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the conversion of medical record keeping from manual systems to electronic medical records (EMR), and converting from International

By Bill Gompers During the last few years many studies have revealed an increasing incidence of clinical errors in hospitals as well as office-based medical practices. Previously, it was common practice not to reveal such occurrences.  Considering today’s desire for transparency and established laws, rules, regulations and guidelines, it is widely accepted that patients should

By Bill Gompers During the last few years many studies have revealed an increasing incidence of clinical errors in hospitals as well as office-based medical practices. Previously, it was common practice not to reveal such occurrences.  Considering today’s desire for transparency and established laws, rules, regulations and guidelines, it is widely accepted that patients should