Reduce your liability risk

Quick View. Aug. 4, 2003.

10 ways physicians can help cut their chances of being sued
1.	Know your limitations. Straying outside your specialty can be an invitation for litigation.
2.	Know if patients with certain religious beliefs require special considerations or more detailed informed consent forms. In emergencies, involve family members or consult a religious resource in the hospital.
3.	If you're acting as medical director for an off-site facility, know what insurance covers. Just putting your name on a document comes with responsibilities.
4.	Outline procedure policies for ambulatory care and follow them, based on a patient's condition.
5.	Know when you can sever patient ties and when it is not an option. It's best to avoid terminating a patient's care. If it's unavoidable, document the termination process.
6.	Have patients sign informed consent forms. Detail all patient options and supply reading materials if possible. Document the information you provided and the ultimate decision.
7.	When considering telemedicine and e-medicine, pay attention to issues such as out-of-state contracting and diagnosing without physically seeing a patient. Place all correspondence in the patient's record.
8.	Know how your insurance providers view *locum tenens* and check their credentials.
9.	Be truthful and tactful when informing dying patients of their prognoses. Providing too much hope to patients and families invites anger and disappointment.
10.	Keep detailed and accurate patient records, including the intake review, discharge summary and every interaction with the patient. Keep e-mails or photos before and after procedures.

Source: The Doctors Company, a physician-owned medical liability insurer

The doctors are in the house
The AMA's House of Delegates is holding its Interim Meeting Nov. 7-10 in Houston, addressing issues such as health system reform and physician payment.
AMA House - Slideshow - Updates