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Risk Management Considerations in Telehealth and Telemedicine

As the provision of healthcare services via technology—commonly called telehealth or telemedicine—expands during the current COVID-19 emergency period, questions arise regarding the permitted scope of practice, licensure requirements and compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), among other regulatory-based inquiries.

Wrongful Designation Attorney's Designation of A Testifying Expert Without the Expert Knowledge

At a recent annual conference of the American Association of Insurance Management Consultants (“AAIMCo”), the agenda included a session on an emerging issue which AAIMCo refers to as Wrongful Designation that expert witnesses may need to pay close attention to. Wrongful Designation is when an attorney designates an individual as a testifying expert without the expert’s knowledge.
 

What to Do in an Active Shooter Situation

Does your workplace have a plan in place for how to handle an active shooter? Would you know how to react to protect yourself and your patients or clients?

Reducing readmissions through discharge communication

One of the most important transitions in the continuum of care is patient discharge. Unfortunately, many patients across the country will leave hospitals, clinics, and healthcare provider offices unsure about what medications to take, when to make a follow-up appointment, and other critical details about their care.

Create effective anti-bullying policies

Workplace bullying contributes to decreased team cohesion, burnout, retention issues, and absenteeism. This article will help managers and other nurses influence policy development with suggestions on crafting usable and effective anti-bullying policies.

Protect Your Professional License, Protect Your Livelihood

When you purchase your own professional liability insurance policy through Nurses Service Organization (NSO), you have peace of mind knowing that you have the resources available to protect your license and your right to practice.

Overcoming the pitfalls of medication reconciliation

Any time there’s a hand-off in patient care, there’s an increased risk for a medication error. Medication reconciliation has been used to help bridge this hand-off communication on admission, between transfers in the hospital, and at discharge.

When to Refuse a Nursing Assignment

Being assigned to an unfamiliar clinical area is one thing, but what if you are ordered to perform an unfamiliar procedure or a task that’s outside the scope of nursing practice? When should you refuse an assignment?

End of Life Care: Responsibilities and Risks

Nurses can make a major contribution in easing the transition from aggressive treatment to palliative care, regardless of the setting. To do so, they must be prepared to make ethical and humane decisions while also avoiding professional liability exposures.

The Ins and Outs of Patient Abandonment

What is patient abandonment, and why do nursing students need to know about it? 

Social Media Etiquette for Nursing Professionals

Social media is a powerful tool that almost everyone uses, but it’s important to remember that what’s shared on social media can have negative effects on your life and career.   

Do Not Let “Depo-” Medications Be a Depot for Mistakes

NSO and the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) have teamed up to help you practice safe medication use and keep patients safe. The following is an ISMP Medication Safety Alert from the May 2017 NSO Risk Advisor.

Dispensing Alert! Dial, Set, and Lock that Dose

NSO and the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) have teamed up to help you practice safe medication use and keep patients safe. The following is an ISMP Medication Safety Alert from the August 2017 NSO Risk Advisor.

Hospital Workplace Violence and Safety Response

Healthcare workers, and in particular hospital workers, are at high risk for workplace violence. Yet many hospitals don’t have safety protocols in place, and those that do often haven’t examined protocol adherence or efficacy.

A Solution to Sitters That Won’t Fall Short

Patient falls continue to be a leading cause of preventable injury in U.S. hospitals1.

Are You Filing Incident Reports Properly?

Knowing when—and how—to file incident reports can help you to protect yourself, your patients, your colleagues, and your organization.   

Nurse Fatigue Creates a Dangerous Environment

Nurses work long hours and play a critical role in keeping patients healthy. Many nurses feel that fatigue “comes with the territory” of such a high-stress, high-impact job. But what’s really at risk when a nurse is fatigued? 

Keeping up with technology: your risks and responsibilities.

Information technology is constantly evolving. Among the most common types are electronic health records (EHRs) and computerized physician order entry systems (CPOEs).

Keeping up with technology: your risks and responsibilities.

Information technology is constantly evolving. Among the most common types are electronic health records (EHRs) and computerized physician order entry systems (CPOEs).

Do's and Don'ts of Documentation

Good documentation can help nurses defend themselves in a malpractice lawsuit, and keep them out of court in the first place. 

Don't cross the line: respecting professional boundaries.

At best, nurses and patients develop a special bond based on trust, compassion, and mutual respect.

Documentation: proactive prevention of litigation.

There is no quick and effective antidote to malpractice allegations. Prevention, however, is necessary.

Documentation on trial: 9 ways to protect your agency.

In most states, a patient can wait several years to file a lawsuit and then it can take years before the suit goes to court.

Defensive Documentation: Steps Nurses Can Take to Improve Their Charting and Reduce Their Liability

Whether you are an experienced nurse or recent grad, documentation can be challenging. Here is some information that can assist with improving your charting and reducing liability risks:  

Charting by exception: the legal risks.

There are numerous variations to charting by exception. Virtually every facility that uses such a system does it differently.

How documentation could come back to haunt you.

The confusing or opinionated words you choose in charting today could come back to haunt you tomorrow.

Administer meds without a doctor's order? Proceed with caution.

Registered nurses generally should administer medications only with a physician’s order. Only certain advanced practice nurses have prescriptive authority, and their qualifications, as well as the type of drug and the amount they are allowed to prescribe, vary from state to state.

Abbreviations in Documentation: A shortcut to disaster for Nurses

Trying to save time by using abbreviations? Make sure that you aren't putting yourself or your patients in jeopardy.

3 Common Nurse Charting Mistakes to Avoid (Part 1)

Accurate and complete patient chart information is essential to providing the highest possible standard of care. Here are simple tips to improve nurse charting, protect patients from treatment error and prevent potential malpractice liability.

4 Common Nurse Charting Mistakes to Avoid (Part 2)

Following nurse documentation best practices helps keep your patients safe and ensures that you are complying with your employer’s policies – and avoiding potential legal consequences such as a malpractice lawsuit.

Creating Inclusiveness for Transgender Patients

As a nursing professional, being attuned to the needs of transgender patients helps you ensure their health needs are met and reduces the risk of legal liability.