Medical Malpractice Insurance News

Drug diversion creates threats to patient safety, puts employee health and safety at risk and potentially damages the organization’s reputation and financial well-being.

After gathering data from 10,000 patients researchers found that 48.6% of patients experienced a problem, and over 30% of those “did not always feel comfortable speaking up.” The study has implications for overall patient safety and satisfaction.

The FDA updates physicians about adverse events associated with surgical staplers and implantable surgical staples and provides recommendations for improving patient safety.

Diagnostic error, test follow-up, infection control and physician burnout top ECRI Institute’s 2019 list of “Top 10 Patient Safety Concerns for Healthcare Organizations.”

A recent study has identified that transmission of hepatitis is possible even when using sterile needles and syringes. MLMIC encourages all medical professionals to remain vigilant with use of proper technique for the administration of injectable medications.

From 2014 to 2017, reductions of hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) helped to prevent roughly 20,500 hospital deaths and saved the healthcare industry $7.7 billion in costs.

The American Dental Association (ADA) has responded to recent media coverage of a study that had raised concerns about the safety of dental floss. Pointing out that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has placed no restrictions on the use of dental floss, ADA says it finds “no cause for concern based on current evidence.”

A cornerstone of the quality of care provided at any healthcare organization is a culture that provides for the safety of patients and promotes an environment where staff and providers feel comfortable in raising issues or concerns.

In an effort to provide the healthcare industry with information regarding safety topics that warrant the attention of facilities and providers, ECRI Institute publishes an annual list: Top Ten Health Technology Hazards. The 2019 list, available here, “represents problems that can be avoided or risks that can be minimized through careful management of technologies.”

MLMIC encourages our insured Ambulatory Surgery Centers and providers to consider use of a new survey tool from HHS as a way to continue to assess and improve quality of care.