Medical Malpractice Insurance News

The Biden-Harris Administration recently released its Statement of Drug Policy Priorities to continue the effort to end the opioid epidemic. The list works in tandem with the American Dental Association’s similar goals to curb opioid use. Knowledge about opioid prescription misuse is crucial for dentists, who prescribe 1 in 10 opioid prescriptions in the United States.

Medication stewardship programs are important efforts by all frontline healthcare workers and are becoming more common in dental practices, as well. In dental practices, dentists should exercise particular caution when prescribing antibiotics and opioids.

Healthcare professionals share in the responsibility for minimizing prescription drug abuse and drug diversion. Physicians are tasked with differentiating patients in need of effective pain management from those who may be seeking drugs for inappropriate reasons. Review this Risk Management Tip from MLMIC to reinforce related policies and protocols within your practice or facility.

The management of chronic pain through the prescription of controlled medication poses challenges and risks to both the patient and the healthcare provider. Review this Risk Management Tip from MLMIC to reinforce related policies and protocols within your practice or facility.

Medication samples are widely used in a physician’s office practice. A standard process should be in place for the proper handling, storage, dispensing, and disposal of medication samples. Review this Risk Management Tip from MLMIC to reinforce related policies and protocols within your practice or facility.

MLMIC encourages policyholders to review these important Risk Management Checklists on medication management, including guidance on how to manage medication samples and how to promote patient adherence to a medication regimen.

The teach-back method can help physicians ensure that patients have a clear understanding of post-visit instructions.

Characterizing prescription errors as “relatively common but preventable,” The Pharmaceutical Journal has published recommendations for preventing the mistakes, which can represent threats to patient safety.

A recent report, published in the Journal of Toxicology, found that people in the United States are making errors in dosing medications at home. Healthcare providers should be cognizant of the need for patient and caregiver education in the proper administration of both prescribed and over-the-counter medications.

A recent study showed a significant increase in patients’ proper use of pre-operative medications when they were provided with simple written instructions.