Heed those EHR alerts: EHRs now a factor in malpractice suits
Patient harm caused at least in part by the use of electronic health records (EHRs) has now emerged in medical malpractice claims, according to a recent closed claims study by The Doctors Company. And alert fatigue—ignoring,overriding, or disabling EHR alerts because they are so frequent they become disruptive and annoying—has emerged as a top risk.
FROM ACADEMY ADVANTAGE PREMIER PARTNER: THE DOCTORS COMPANY
Patient harm caused at least in part by the use of electronic health records (EHRs) has now emerged in medical malpractice claims, according to a recent closed claims study by The Doctors Company. And alert fatigue—ignoring,
overriding, or disabling EHR alerts because they are so frequent they become disruptive and annoying—has emerged as a top risk.
But there are strategies you can take to protect your patients and your practice from the liability risks of EHRs. The American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) has partnered with The Doctors Company, an Academy Advantage Premier Partner, to provide Academy Members with an exclusive medical malpractice insurance program since 2003. In addition to providing industry-leading coverage, The Doctors Company has the largest patient safety department, offering closed claims studies, risk tips, and videos to help you reduce risk. Learn how to address EHR alert risks and read an otolaryngology case example at http://hubs.ly/H02hS8Z0.
As the nation’s largest physician-owned medical malpractice insurer—insuring more than 1,000 otolaryngologists nationwide—The Doctors Company has unparalleled insight into the broad range of claims in otolaryngology. And backed by the financial strength of $4.3 billion in assets and a membership of 78,000 physicians, The Doctors Company offers AAO-HNS Members a unique combination of coverage features, aggressive claims defense, and unrivaled protection. Qualified AAO-HNS Members receive a program discount of 5 percent and a claims-free credit of up to 25 percent, as well as participation in the company’s multiyear dividend program.
AAO-HNS Members have access to free live and web-based CME, on-site surveys, and informed consent resources at www.thedoctors.com/patientsafety. Members also receive the industry’s most aggressive defense, beginning with the promise never to settle a claim without a member’s consent, where permitted by law. This relentless defense includes litigation education retreats, which help members facing claims to master defense tactics, and educational videos showcasing actual claims experiences at www.youtube.com/doctorscompany.
Created in 2007, the Tribute® Plan is an unrivaled benefit that rewards The Doctors Company’s members for their loyalty and their dedication to superior patient care with a significant financial award at retirement. How significant? The highest award to date to an otolaryngologist and AAO-HNS Member was $33,554. Learn more about this groundbreaking benefit at www.thedoctors.com/tribute.
Join your AAO-HNS colleagues as a member of The Doctors Company—find out how affordable the best medical malpractice coverage for otolaryngologists can be at www.thedoctors.com/AAOHNS.