Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM
Patient falls are a common risk management and safety concern in various healthcare settings, but particularly in hospitals where patients might be at increased risk of falling due to an "unfamiliar environment, acute illness, surgery, bed rest, medications, treatments, and the placement of various tubes and catheters."1 The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) estimates that between 700,000 and 1 million hospitalized patients in the United States fall each year.2
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Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM
Diagnostic errors are a serious threat to patient safety as well as a significant medical liability concern. MedPro Group malpractice claims data show that diagnosis-related allegations occur across all specialties and healthcare locations. Analysis of the risk factors that contribute to these allegations shows that clinical judgment is, by far, the most prevalent.1
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Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM
History has shown that natural disasters and other environmental crises can occur with limited warning and may necessitate a rapid emergency response. Between 2020 and 2023, more than 275 major disaster declarations and 175 emergency declarations occurred in the United States, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).1
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Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM
History has shown society's vulnerability to environmental disasters, but it also has shown how preparedness efforts can have a significant impact on disaster outcomes. Despite an element of unpredictability that is inherent in many natural and manmade environmental emergencies, planning and preparation are powerful and effective tools for managing these situations.
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Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM
Environmental emergencies can occur at any time and any place, and they can have widespread consequences for individuals, businesses, and communities. Natural disasters, severe weather, industrial accidents, chemical and oil spills, and unintentional radiation exposure are all examples of potential environmental emergencies.
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Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM
Informed consent plays a crucial role in patients' rights to autonomy and to make educated decisions about their healthcare. The right to consent to treatment or refuse treatment generally applies to competent adults. When patients are children, the process of informed consent is slightly different, but no less important.
Read more Contract administration and management in healthcare practices can be daunting tasks. Healthcare providers often are involved in numerous contractual agreements, including arrangements with managed care organizations, office and equipment supply vendors, technology systems vendors, landlords, collection agencies, answering services, insurance carriers, partners, employees, and employee benefits providers. Contracts also might be in place for other services, such as serving as a training site for students or fulfilling a medical director role for a long-term care facility.
Read more Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM
Cybersecurity and cyberattacks have been a persistent and escalating concern in healthcare with the advancement of electronic health records, digital data, medical devices, personal electronic devices, cloud technologies, and artificial intelligence (AI). As technology has evolved, so too have the activities and sophistication of cyber criminals.
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