Medical Malpractice Insurance News

If the eyes are a window to our soul, the teeth and gums are a window to our bodies. The pathway to a healthy body starts in the oral cavity, and poor dental nutrition affects the whole body. In fact, the first sign of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and gastroesophageal reflux can initially be detected while examining the teeth and gums.

In this editorial from March 2015, Dr. Kevin J. Hanley writes that if leaders of dental organizations don’t come up with creative ways to attract the new generation of dentists, organized dentistry may be a thing of the past. This article is reprinted with permission from The New York State Dental Journal.

In addition to researching symptoms and health concerns ahead of seeking care, patients are also turning to Google following medical appointments or instead of disclosing information to their doctors altogether.

Most physicians and other healthcare providers encounter patients with limited health literacy every day. Increasing awareness and facilitating patient education can mitigate the impact of health literacy on health outcomes and patient safety – and reduce liability risk.

Reliable and comprehensive communication between referring and consulting dentists is an important part of providing good patient care and managing risk. Here are brief recommendations to build good communication into the standard office procedure.

The communication of test results is an important part of providing care and may involve various healthcare professionals. Test results may be over-looked, lost, or scanned into the wrong record. Review this Risk Management Tip from MLMIC to reinforce related policies and protocols within your practice or facility.

Lack of communication between providers may result in poor coordination of care. This may include a delay in diagnosis or treatment, the failure to order diagnostic testing or act upon abnormal test results, or the failure to prescribe appropriate medications. Review this Risk Management Tip from MLMIC to reinforce related policies and protocols within your practice or facility.

Effective communication is the cornerstone of the doctor-patient relationship. Patients’ perceptions of physician communication skills may impact the potential for allegations of malpractice. Review this Risk Management Tip from MLMIC to reinforce related policies and protocols within your practice or facility.

The failure to properly handle and document after-hours telephone calls can adversely affect patient care and lead to potential liability exposure for the physician. Review this Risk Management Tip from MLMIC to reinforce related policies and protocols within your practice or facility.

A well-defined process for following up on missed or cancelled appointment will help ensure continuity of care and enhance patient safety. Review this Risk Management Tip from MLMIC to reinforce related policies and protocols within your practice or facility.