Risk Management Publications

Most fall prevention programs and statistics are geared toward hospital falls and focus on the older population. However, falls resulting in injuries in a physician’s office can and do happen, and the injuries sustained can be significant.

During the pandemic, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offered regulatory permissions to promote and expand the adoption and use of telehealth services, supporting the health and safety of patients and providers alike.

This Case of the Month highlights the unfortunate scenario when a patient with mental health issues fell through the cracks within the healthcare system.

Accurate and detailed notes of patient visits and interactions help mental health professionals diagnose and treat patients quickly, safely, and accurately, and help them devise effective treatment plans.

Diagnostic delays can be costly and harmful to patients. Although delayed diagnosis can occur in any medical specialty, primary care is at a significant risk for delayed diagnosis because it is where many initial and ongoing patient-doctor encounters occur.¹ One example of delayed diagnosis in the primary care setting was seen in a recent Pennsylvania case. 

As online care capabilities and frequency increase, so do the expectations for a rapid response time, which can significantly impact staff workflows within hospitals and medical office practices.

Risk Rounds is comprised of a variety of “Pathways”— each about an hour long—that offer valuable lessons from CAP's closed claims files.

CAP's Risk Management and Patient Safety team has developed a toolkit for medical practices to address workplace violence.

Consistent with the Biden Administration's timeline to end the COVID-19 national and public health emergencies on May 11, 2023, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) informed states to expect the Public Health Emergency (PHE) and certain associated flexibilities to end on the same date.

As challenges associated with mental and behavioral health illnesses increase, physicians should review available options when they suspect a patient may be a danger to themselves or to others so they can provide timely and appropriate care, not violate citizen/patient rights, and reduce professional and legal liability exposure for themselves.