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
Read more 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.
Read more 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.
Read more 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.
Read more 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.
Read more 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
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