Hospitalists: A Specialty with Unique Liability Risks

Hospitalists: A Specialty with Unique Liability Risks
Tuesday, April 9
12:30 - 1:45 PM
Online Webinar

Synopsis
Almost 20 years ago, primary care physicians accepted assistance from independent contractors to help them manage their hospitalized patients; a new specialty emerged- hospital medicine.

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, the percentage of internal medicine physicians identified as hospitalists increased from 5.9% in 1995 to 19.0% in 2006, with more than 30,000 currently practicing. Likewise, according to the Society of Hospital Medicine, 34,799 physicians identified themselves as hospitalists in 2012. This substantial growth rate, which now includes internists and specialists, carries with it unique liability risks as hospitalists assume the role as "gate-keeper" for inpatients' medical information, medical care, and medical follow-up.  Communication breakdowns between hospitalists and consultants, nurses, diagnostic units, and patients may result in patient injury; incomplete "hand-offs" between treating hospitalists increases physician liability; and costly re-admissions may result if discharge plans and instructions are unclear.

This webinar will explore the most common allegations facing hospitalists and present ways to improve patient safety and decrease the hospitalist's liability exposure.Topics covered during this webinar include:

• Liability concerns with admission and discharge;
• Risks facing generalists who are asked to practice as specialists;
• Review policies and procedures to improve patient hand-off;
• Identify documentation challenges and discuss opportunities and methods of improvement; and
• Identify ways to reduce avoidable re-admissions.

Price
Members: Free
MIEC Insured: Free
Non-Members: $149.00

Registration
Register online by clicking "Add to Cart" below.

About the Presenter
Dorothy Dukes has more than six years experience as a defense representative, claims reviewer, and paralegal for Dalkon Shield Claimants Trust in Richmond, Virginia. Before relocating to California, Ms. Dukes also served as a Family Mediator for the Supreme Court of (Richmond) Virginia. Prior to joining MIEC, Ms. Dukes was a department Supervisor for the American Arbitration Association in San Francisco, California, where she was employed for more than four years. She joined the Loss Prevention Department of the Medical Insurance Exchange of California in February 2001.  She was promoted to Senior Loss Prevention Representative in 2007.