When Patient Phobias Turn Into Medical Emergencies

Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM

Patient phobias related to medical or dental treatment can be problematic and concerning in various ways. These emotions may manifest as nonadherence to treatment plans or appointment schedules, behavioral issues, or — in extreme cases — medical emergencies. The case studies below offer two examples of how patient fear and anxiety contributed to medical emergencies.

Record Retention Basics for Healthcare Practices

Healthcare practices generate and maintain many different types of records, including patient health records and business records. These records help organizations maintain critical information and deliver quality services and care.

Diagnostic Overshadowing and At-Risk Patients

Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM

Lapses in clinical judgment are a well-established contributing factor in diagnostic errors, and it is widely accepted that cognitive biases are a major cause of these lapses. Numerous types of cognitive biases exist, but certain patients might be particularly susceptible to a bias called diagnostic overshadowing.

Avoiding Social Media Blunders With Proactive Risk Management Policies

Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM

Undoubtedly, social media’s ease, flexibility, and convenience offer various opportunities to enhance the dissemination of health information and communication between patients and healthcare providers. Like any type of technology, though, social media can create safety and risk management concerns if it is not used responsibly. Further, because social media changes rapidly, standards and best practices are not always well-defined.

Talking to Patients About Substance Use Disorders: Strategies for Primary Care Providers

Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are a common and growing public health and medical concern in the United States. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 48.7 million people aged 12 or older reported having a SUD in the past year — an increase of 8.4 million from the 2020 survey.¹ Unfortunately, only about a quarter of these individuals received treatment.²

Great Expectations: Mitigating Challenges in Cosmetic Dentistry

Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM

Cosmetic dentistry can help patients address numerous issues with their teeth, such as alignment, color, shape, position, and more. These services can reduce patients’ insecurities about the way they look and improve their self-esteem and overall quality of life.

The Essential Role of Governance in Ensuring the Safety and Quality of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM

Without doubt, artificial intelligence (AI) is on the cusp of revolutionizing fundamental aspects of society. The excitement and promise of AI have propelled these technologies into the global limelight and piqued the interest of leaders and stakeholders in many industries, including healthcare. As AI continues to proliferate, many healthcare organizations are looking for opportunities to incorporate AI applications in meaningful ways that will benefit patients, the workforce, the organization, and communities.

Strategies for Reducing Polypharmacy in Senior Care

Marcy A. Metzgar

Polypharmacy is a serious concern among adults, and especially among seniors. Although polypharmacy is preventable, it is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality.¹ Polypharmacy generally is defined as taking multiple medications or more medications than are medically necessary (including over-the-counter drugs and supplements).