Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM
Direct-to-consumer marketing of robot-assisted surgery (RAS) has generated patient interest in this technology. Patients may find statements about quicker recovery periods, less pain, smaller scars, and lower infection rates enticing. However, marketing and advertising efforts might paint an incomplete picture of the benefits and risks of RAS. Thus, informed consent plays an essential role in treatment discussions with patients who are considering robotic procedures.
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Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM
Mental health is a persistent and growing public health concern, and the number of Americans who commit suicide has steadily increased over the last two decades.1 In 2022, an estimated 13.2 million adults had serious thoughts of suicide, 3.8 million adults made a suicide plan, and 1.6 million adults attempted suicide.2 These statistics speak to the serious nature of the mental health crisis and the need for better interventions for people who have suicidal ideation.
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Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM
Sadly, disruptive behavior among healthcare professionals and staff is common, and it poses a threat to patient safety and staff well-being. In a recent survey of healthcare professionals at an academic hospital in the United States, 63 percent of participants experienced unprofessional behavior at least once a month.1 These behaviors can take a serious toll on members of the patient care team and can increase the risk of adverse events.
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Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM
In the current healthcare technology landscape — which includes robotics, telehealth, artificial intelligence, 3D printing, nanomedicine, virtual reality, and more — password security might seem archaic. Healthcare workers have used passwords for years to log in to various organizational systems, and doing so has likely become second nature. Recently, however, cyberattacks and data breaches have heightened security concerns for healthcare organizations, emphasizing the need to develop new security strategies and revisit old protocols.
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Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM
Managing patient complaints and dissatisfaction is an unpleasant but certain reality in healthcare. Despite best efforts, situations will occur in which patients are unhappy and feel compelled to voice their displeasure and concerns. In some cases, patients’ emotions might escalate, and they may become aggressive, hostile, or violent.
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Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM
Healthcare providers who offer cosmetic and aesthetic services help patients address physical issues that might impede their body image, emotional well-being, and psychosocial functioning. Surgeries or procedures that correct or improve these issues can ultimately enhance patients’ quality of life and address lingering insecurities. Yet, for some patients, seeking out cosmetic and aesthetic services is symptomatic of a more complex issue called body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) or body dysmorphia. This condition ultimately can lead to negative consequences for both patients and healthcare providers.
Read more In recent years, MedPro has noted an uptick in malpractice cases related to wrongful birth and wrongful life. Although these types of cases are still uncommon, when they do occur, settlements or judgments can be in the millions of dollars.
Read more Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM
Patient falls are a vexing and persistent problem for hospitals. A collaborative publication from The Joint Commission, the Health Research and Educational Trust, and the American Hospital Association notes that “Despite long-term and widespread attention to fall prevention, patients continue to fall, and many of these falls result in injury.”1
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