Case Study: Hasty Prescribing of Pain Medication Leads to Patient Overdose

Case Details

The patient was a male in his mid-forties who suffered from chronic pain of unknown etiology. He was a long-time patient of Dr. B, a MedPro-insured family medicine physician. Dr. B referred the patient to an anesthesiologist, Dr. M, who subspecialized in pain management. Dr. M started the patient on a fentanyl patch (25 mcg/hour), and then gradually increased the patient's dose to 100 mcg/hour.

Risk Considerations for Using Surveillance Cameras in Healthcare Practices

Marcy A. Metzgar

Providers install surveillance cameras in their healthcare practices for a variety of reasons. They seek to protect and secure all their office and medical equipment, health records, and medications in their offices; their employees; and their patients. Some wish to prevent access into their offices by unauthorized individuals that may result in theft, violence, or patient record violations. Others want to prevent any physical or verbal abuse that may occur. And some appreciate being able to monitor their practices remotely.

Mitigating Risks Associated With Dental Implant Procedures

Dental implant procedures are an increasingly popular treatment to replace missing or damaged teeth. The American Academy of Implant Dentistry notes that 3 million people in the United States have implants, and the number grows by 500,000 annually.¹ Implants offer many benefits, but they are not without risks — and allegations related to dental implant procedures are a factor in both the frequency and financial severity of dental malpractice claims.

Enhancing Safety Culture as Part of Fall Prevention Initiatives in Hospitals

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

The Complex Role of Clinical Judgment in Diagnostic Errors

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

Environmental Emergency Preparedness for Healthcare Practices: Identifying and Assessing Risks

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

Environmental Emergencies Preparedness for Healthcare Practices: Developing a Response Plan

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.

Environmental Emergencies Preparedness for Healthcare Practices: Training Staff Members

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.