By the time a family physician retires, he or she likely will have at least one malpractice claim filed. The stress of litigation can be daunting, even if it seems unlikely that an insurance payout will be awarded to the plaintiff.
How can you avoid potential medical malpractice claims? Whatever your medical specialty, you need to identify the risks which could lead to litigation. In this blog, you will learn about these risks and how to counter them.
What Are Potential Medical Malpractice Risks?
Potential medical malpractice risks open a doctor or other healthcare provider to the possibility of malpractice claims and litigation. Sadly, even the simple filing of a claim may cause the provider substantial worry and stress. It may even impact his or her reputation in the medical community and the community at large.
What can put a physician at risk for a malpractice claim? Incompetence in assessment, diagnosis and skills related to treatment are obvious contributing factors.
For instance, a doctor who fails to identify symptoms of a serious condition, such as cancer or cardiovascular disease, may be held liable for damages if the patient suffers harm. Similarly, a surgeon who makes an error during a procedure and irreparably injures the patient also could face malpractice litigation.
Other potential–and perhaps less obvious–risks include:
- Poor communication with patients, including insufficient follow-up after surgery, hospitalization or changes in medications
- Lack of informed consent (poor patient education about upcoming treatments)
- Failure to clearly document medical records and protect the security and transfer thereof (electronic medical records must be securely encrypted)
- Poorly trained support staff and lack of standardization of both administrative and medical procedures
- Breach of patient confidentiality and privacy according to HIPPA protocols
Physicians–and all healthcare providers for that matter–should remember that it is their duty to first do no harm. As such, due diligence in the delivery, continuation and follow-up of medical and surgical care builds trust and reduces the possibility of life-altering errors.
Also, what may surprise many healthcare providers is that many patients chiefly complain about communication. They may not feel comfortable or respected enough to reveal pertinent symptoms and lifestyle information. As such, providers may not base their diagnoses and treatment plans on the complete picture.
How Can a Healthcare Provider Avoid Malpractice Risks?
The first step in mitigating potential medical malpractice risks is awareness. Doctors and other healthcare providers must understand the various scenarios which could lead to liability and take proactive measures to prevent them.
This includes staying up to date on their medical skills and technologies. Providers should pursue continuing education, board-certification requirements and association with their peers through active participation in professional organizations.
Additionally, physicians can reduce the risk of medical malpractice claims by:
- Reviewing and updating office policies
- Charting patient information quickly, completely and accurately
- Reviewing current medical cases to determine any factors which could cause subsequent patients harm or improve therapeutic outcomes
As stated above, doctor-patient communication and trust are so important. So, to avoid patient dissatisfaction leading to malpractice claims, a healthcare provider should always:
- Listen to each patient very carefully and attentively
- Ask questions when a patient states something which is unclear
- Avoid a rushed or dismissive attitude to patient concerns and questions
- Outline treatment goals and expectations which are sensible and realistic
- Understand and use vocabulary which patients can understand regardless of educational or cultural background
Again, it pays to be proactive in risk management. Attend to skill, education, communication and administrative procedures which protect you, your support staff, your colleagues and your patients.
Physician Malpractice Insurance Near Me From eQuoteMD
If you are looking for medical malpractice insurance coverage which makes sense for you, your specialty and your location, look no further than eQuoteMD. Based in St. Louis, MO, our insurance brokerage assists healthcare providers in all 50 states in getting the protection they need for their reputation, income assets, and patients.
We also offer our clients sensible information on how to manage malpractice risks in their day-to-day practices. Call equoteMD at (855) 823-5295 to learn more and to obtain a customized malpractice insurance quote. You also may request a quote here.
