Risk Management Publications

On February 1, 2019, the Cooperative of American Physicians, Inc., Board of Directors approved amending Article 4.3.2 and 4.3.3 of the CAP Bylaws, setting the time for a membership-petition nomination to the Board of Directors at 75 days before the date of an election and eliminating nominations from the floor at a meeting to elect directors.

Malpractice Suits Must Connect All the Dots

To pursue a lawsuit for medical malpractice, it is not enough for a plaintiff to demonstrate that a defendant did not meet the standard of care in treating a patient and that a patient suffered a harm. A crucial component must bridge the two — the professional breach must have caused the harm.

Medical Assistant Liability - the CAP Risk Management Institute Offers Free Training

Medication administration is commonly the responsibility of medical assistants (MAs) in many California medical offices and clinic settings. While MAs play a vital role in carrying out a variety of routine tasks that keep your office running smoothly, they may also represent an underappreciated source of risk for your practice.

Physician Supply Still a Concern in Face of Increasing Demand

A new report by the California Future Health Workforce Commission may serve as a road map for state leaders to begin work on avoiding workforce shortages in the healthcare field.

7 Ways to Mitigate Risk

Medical malpractice lawsuits are no longer based solely on medical errors or missed treatments. Many of these cases are becoming more about the experience of the patient: how he or she feels, and whether he or she felt they were treated fairly or felt mistreated. Here are some tips to mitigate risk and strengthen the patient experience.

Short-Term Disability and CAP Pregnancy Disability Plan Benefits

Did you know that your CAP membership provides you not only amazing medical liability protection, but excellent value-added benefits as well? Among these benefits is the CAP Pregnancy Disability Benefit Plan¹.

February, 2019

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January, 2019

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December, 2018

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An Expansion of the Rights of Minors Relating to Patient Records

California law provides that any adult patient and any minor patient authorized by law to consent to medical treatment, is entitled to inspect and request a copy of their medical record upon written request to the healthcare provider and payment of reasonable costs to make the record available. (California Health and Safety Code Section 123110)

May Medical Assistants Call in New Prescriptions or Refills to a Pharmacy?

It depends… The Medical Board of California (MBC) cautions, “Physicians should view carefully his or her decision to allow medical assistants to perform this task.” It is not the physical act of picking up a phone and dialing a number that is of concern.

Checklist for Closing Your Medical Practice

CAP's Risk Management and Patient Safety Department offers the following guidelines to help physicians who are retiring or otherwise closing or selling their practice, or for those handling the estate of a deceased physician.

Documenting Patients Return Visit and Following Up on Missed Appointments

As every patient visit concludes with a documented office visit encounter, the visit note should include when the patient is advised to return. It is important for the physician to document when a patient should return to the office and for what purpose.

Signing the Electronic Record

Many physicians have migrated to the electronic record in the in-patient and out-patient setting. Physicians routinely use electronic and digital signatures in lieu of a hand written signature. Electronic submission necessitates security measures to verify and authenticate the physician’s identity.

Telephone Call Documentation

How does your office handle telephone messages from patients? Are they recorded in a telephone log? Added to the chart? How are physicians notified about the call? These are important questions because they affect patient outcomes and patient safety.

Four Ways to Improve Your Vendor Selection Process

So far this year, business associate breaches account for roughly 12 percent of the total breaches reported to the Office of Civil Rights (OCR), or 27 of the 233 reported breaches as of September 19. What does this mean to a covered entity? It means that it’s not enough to require a signed Business Associate Agreement (BAA). Vendors should be diligently vetted.

We’re Rebooting Risk E-Notes

We wanted to inform you that Risk E-Notes is being replaced by a new monthly digest, Patient Safety Advocate. As you know, Risk E Notes is a bimonthly email newsletter published by CAP’s Risk Management and Patient Safety Newsletter. Risk E-Notes has been written for independent physicians and their office staff. We know how busy you are and we know how difficult it is to keep up with the latest risk management news and trends.

CURES 2.0: Mandatory Use Begins October 2, 2018

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has certified California’s Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES). Effective October 2, 2018, it will become mandatory for all health care practitioners to consult and review the CURES 2.0 system prior to prescribing, ordering, administering, or furnishing a Schedule II-IV controlled substance.

Senate Bill 97 Reporting Requirements for Parkinson's Disease

Effective July 1, 2018, Senate Bill 97 creates a mandatory requirement that a health provider that diagnoses or provides treatment to a patient with Parkinson's disease must report each case of Parkinson’s disease to the California Department of Public Health.

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