Geriatric Abdominal Emergencies

February 13, 2017

Acute abdominal pain presents a significant challenge to all healthcare professionals who care for geriatric patients. The signs and symptoms may be atypical, the differential diagnosis is vast, the workup is time-consuming, and the stakes are high. It is estimated that of all elderly patients who present to the emergency department with abdominal pain, as…Read More

Common Errors in Chest Pain Diagnosis

February 8, 2017

The chief complaint of chest pain is common among patients presenting to the office, clinic, urgent care or emergency department. While heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., medical error is the third leading cause. Furthermore, missed or delayed diagnoses are responsible for 57% of malpractice claims in emergency medicine, according…Read More

Chest Pain Documentation Pearls

February 7, 2017

Patients with chest pain are a common and constant challenge to clinicians, whether in the office, clinic, urgent care or emergency department. The clinical presentations may be confusing, the differential diagnoses are myriad, and not all patients with chest pain will have a serious underlying etiology. Lawsuits involving the care of patients with chest pain…Read More

Heart Disease Hits Close to Home

February 3, 2017

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. It’s responsible for 1 in every 4 deaths. Because of its prominence, we have all likely been touched by this disease. Our staff shares their stories of how heart disease has touched their lives in the hopes of…Read More

Targeting Obstetrics Malpractice Claims

February 1, 2017

When creating a loss prevention program, obstetrics (OB) is a logical place to focus. It tends to be one of the riskiest specialties in medicine. Here we’ll highlight the research that points to why OB remains a focal point of organizational leadership and discuss the three attributes a loss prevention program in OB should have….Read More

EMR Documentation Discrepancies Spell Danger

January 30, 2017

The Dangerous Discrepancies One of the most difficult hurdles to overcome during the defense of a malpractice suit is a significant discrepancy in the medical record. The discrepancies may involve the nurses, physicians, advanced practice clinicians, EMS personnel, and any records related to the patient. Often, a discrepancy may be nothing more than a minor…Read More

Managing Patient Volume in ED

November 12, 2014

Are you prepared for surges in your ED patient volumes? As we head into the peak of flu season, many facilities are already feeling the effects of increased volumes, such as: Longer waiting times Staff exposed to more airborne illnesses resulting in increased sick time A shift in perceptions of care resulting in lower patient…Read More