Nipping Malpractice in the Bud


One of our staff doctors just received a favorable verdict in a malpractice suit, so I thought I'd discuss that briefly today. As office manager, it's crucial that I keep the staff properly trained in risk management.

As with physicians, one of the main things I stress is courtesy with the patient. In a professional, courteous manner, make them feel like you are invested in their healthcare. Lawsuits often arise over perceived neglect, so it is important to never forget the simple rule of good manners.

For doctors, it is crucial to properly document every aspect of care, so that the thought processes that lead to a given diagnosis are crystal clear. The staff must then make sure this information is properly transcribed and stored for easy access.

Tracking lab results and informing the patient of their meaning is another step in the process. We work extra hard in our office to leave no thread hanging when it comes to any form of testing.


Follow-up care to patients with chronic care issues is also of paramount importance. We all know that sometimes a patient may neglect or refuse treatment, so it's vital that the medical staff make the effort to demonstrate the need for it. In our office, we keep detailed phone logs so that all patient contact is recorded and in black-and-white.


We live in a very litigious society, so it makes good business sense to always keep your staff current and aware of the implications of their actions. Not only does it help prevent you from being sued for malpractice, but it also helps to finetune the quality of care a practice gives to each patient. Please let me know you're thoughts!