3 ways to avoid a medical malpractice lawsuit

by Joanne Finnegan | Jun 20, 2017 7:46am
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Patients who feel their doctor cares are less likely to file a malpractice lawsuit.
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It may be a relief for doctors to know that few malpractice lawsuits actually go to a full-blown jury trial, as most claims are settled out of court.

Nonetheless, a malpractice lawsuit can have devastating results and there are steps physicians can take to avoid being sued in the first place, according to Diagnostic Imaging. Here’s three of the suggestions to prevent a lawsuit:

Communicate with patients, particularly if a mistake occurs. "Patients sue because they feel deserted, devalued or that they have not been given the complete answers for what's going on,” Michael R. Marks, M.D., an orthopedic spine surgeon from
Connecticut, told the publication. Apologize when a mistake occurs. If a patient feels a doctor cares, they are less likely to sue. Marks recalled a former partner who had a bad patient outcome. After referring the patient to another health center for
subsequent care, the surgeon continued to call the patient and check up every week. The patient decided not to sue the surgeon.

RELATED: Disclosure of medical errors along with an apology may lead to fewer lawsuits

Double check your documentation on the electronic health record. The EHR can create medical malpractice opportunities. For example, it's easy to mistakenly click the wrong item in a click-down menu. So doctors must check their work and review a patient’
s complete record before administering tests or prescribing medications, advised Ericka Adler, a regulatory transactional healthcare lawyer in Chicago.

RELATED: The top 5 reasons for malpractice lawsuits against doctors

Be realistic that a lawsuit may occur. Knowing they may face a lawsuit can be a tough realization, especially for young doctors, says Adler. Experienced doctors, however, are also at risk. Facing a malpractice trial can be an emotional ordeal—and one
that lasts.

RELATED: Malpractice trials can take emotional toll on doctors

Read more on Malpractice, Lawsuits, Patient Safety, Patient Engagement, Patient Satisfaction, Physician Practice, Quality, Ericka Adler, Mark R. Marks



http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/practices/3-ways-to-avoid-a-medical-malpractice-lawsuit

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