Publications & Resources

A well-defined process for following up on missed or cancelled appointment will help ensure continuity of care and enhance patient safety. Review this Risk Management Tip from MLMIC to reinforce related policies and protocols within your practice or facility.

A cornerstone of the quality of care provided at any healthcare organization is a culture that provides for the safety of patients and promotes an environment where staff and providers feel comfortable in raising issues or concerns.

The Fall 2018 edition of MLMIC’s Case Review describes how lack of communication impacts patient care, including diagnostic errors and treatment delays.

Enrollment is currently open for the next MLMIC-HANYS webinar, “The Hospitalist’s Role in Effective Coordination of Care,” on July 18. This 60-minute complimentary webinar will describe how a well-designed and implemented hospitalist program helps physicians and facilities provide optimum patient care and reduce potential liability risk.

The March 2018 edition of MLMIC’s Case Review includes case studies highlighting the importance of veracity, communication and detailed medical histories.

Recent study shows an association between complete handover of anesthesia care of a patient from one anesthesiologist to another and adverse postoperative outcomes among patients undergoing major surgery.

During care transitions, it is essential to ensure that pertinent information is provided to the individual(s) assuming the care of the patient.

MLMIC’s most recent Case Review (Winter 2016) contains a perspective on a case with both a catastrophic outcome and serious legal and risk management deficits. The case study – involving paralysis from spinal surgery – highlights not only clear and continuous lack of communication between a variety of providers but also several failures of documentation.

Ineffective communication and transfer of patient information has been associated with medical errors, patient harm and patient dissatisfaction.

Dental practices should develop protocols for tracking consultations, including patient compliance, and documenting conversations between referring and consulting dentists. In addition, patients’ dental records should reflect referral compliance (or non-compliance) and include related correspondence.