Avoiding Malpractice: 10 Rules, 5 Systems, 20 Cases - Softcover

Buppert, Carolyn

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0972247610 ISBN 13: 9780972247610

Publisher: Law Office of Carolyn Buppert, 2002

Synopsis

This book offers 10 rules and 5 systems for nurse practitioners to incorporate into their practices, in order to avoid diagnostic omissions or lapses in follow-up (the two major reasons nurse practitioners and medical doctors are sued for malpractice).

The rules evolved from the author's analysis of 20 malpractice cases against nurse practitioners and medical doctors. The cases are summarized in the book.

The rules are:
1. Know the red flag chief complaints. (They are identified in the book.)
2. Rule out the worst thing first.
3. Know the risk factors that call for screening tests.
4. Revisit unresolved problems until resolved.
5. Go through a SCRIPT analysis with every prescription you write.
(SCRIPT stands for:
Side effect risks discussed with patient and accepted.
Contraindications have been ruled out.
Right medication, dose, frequency, duration and route.
Interactions have been reviewed.
Precautions have been reviewed.
Transmittal of the prescription has been accomplished safely; i.e. not on voice mail, not scrawled in poor handwriting.)
6. Adopt systems and policies for follow-up. (Systems and policies are described.)
7. Audit your charts. (Auditing tools provided.)
8. Treat every medical opinion you give as if it were provided during an office visit.
9. For diagnostic tests or referrals ordered, be able to answer "yes" to these questions: Was it done? Are the results on record? If abnormal, was the condition, symptom or finding followed up to a definitive diagnosis or rule-out?
10. If the patient doesn't need it, don't order it.

The book provides systems for follow-up and chart audit, and offers example office policies that address a) conditions for giving medical advice, b) prescribing, c) continuing education, d) documentation, e) patient teaching materials and f) patient failure to show for appointment.

About this title

From the Author

A lawsuit for malpractice is emotionally devastating for a nurse practitioner, and obviously arises out of a tragedy for a patient. I believe there is a place for preventive law, just like there is a place for preventive medicine. I would rather work on preventing malpractice than litigating it. This book aims to prevent malpractice.

About the Author

Buppert is an attorney and nurse practitioner in Annapolis, MD. She specializes in legal and business issues affecting health care practitioners. Her special interest is nurse practitioners.

She is the author of 4 books, including "The Nurse Practitioner's Business Practice and Legal Guide," "The Primary Care Provider's Guide to Compensation and Quality," "Avoiding Malpractice" and "Negotiating Terms of Employment." She also wrote a training module for nurse practitioners -- "Safe, Smart Billing and Coding for Evaluation and Management" -- and a HIPAA compliance kit for medical practices -- "Patient privacy: Policies, forms, training."

About this edition

• Publisher: Law Office of Carolyn Buppert
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0972247610
• ISBN 13: 9780972247610
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 80