Tag: standard of care

Medical standards of care and the Joan Rivers death

By Michael Wong, JD (Executive Director, Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety), Frank Overdyk, MSEE, MD  (Professor of Anesthesiology, Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine), Lynn Razzano, RN, MSN, ONCC (Clinical Nurse Consultant, Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety), Kenneth P. Rothfield, MD, MBA (Chairman of the Department of Anesthesiology at Ascension Health’s Saint Agnes Hospital, Baltimore; Adjunct Associate Professor of Nursing at the University of Maryland; soon assuming role of System Chief Medical Officer, St. Vincent’s Healthcare)

When medical tragedies occur, one of the very first questions asked by patients, families, the legal system, the press, and the public is: “were appropriate care standards met?” Continue reading “Medical standards of care and the Joan Rivers death” →

Health Experts Say Continuous Monitoring of Post-Surgical Patients Receiving Opioids Should Be Standard

Continuous electronic monitoring of patients receiving opioids to manage their pain after surgery should be a standard of care, leading health experts said during a recent webinar. The March 4, 2014 webinar was hosted Premier Safety Institute as part of their Advisor Live series.

“There is no doubt that patients who have either sedation or postoperative pain management do require some sort of monitoring,” said Bhavani S. Kodali, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School. Continue reading “Health Experts Say Continuous Monitoring of Post-Surgical Patients Receiving Opioids Should Be Standard” →

Breathing Easier with Capnography – A New Standard of Care?

Fifteen years ago ambulances did not use capnography.  Now, medical professionals predict that, within the next five years, capnography will become the “staple technology” of an emergency responder’s standard of care.   If true, the legal ramifications are apparent.

by Peter A. Corsale (Gallop, Johnson & Neuman, L.C., St. Louis, Missouri)

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid forecasts that between 2010 and 2020, the average annual health spending growth (5.8%) will outpace the annual growth in the overall economy by 4.7% and comprise 19.8% of the GDP ($4.6 trillion).  With such amounts dedicated to health services, patients expect their physicians and medical care facilities, regardless of their location (urban vs. rural), to keep abreast, adapt, and use new technology.  There is little doubt that patients equate new technology with better and safer service. Continue reading “Breathing Easier with Capnography – A New Standard of Care?” →

Should operating room standard of care apply outside the operating room?

by Michael Wong

What happens when the accepted standard of care in one situation is not applied in another situation?

As a recent USA Today investigation indicates, the consequences to the patient can be deadly or debilitating. As well, it can be costly for the healthcare provider and facility found liable for damages. Continue reading “Should operating room standard of care apply outside the operating room?” →