With medical treatment, there is always a chance a doctor could expose a patient to the risk of harm or illness.
If there is a problem, a patient may make a malpractice claim against the physician. Physicians could cause irreparable damage to a patient’s health. Malpractice insurance can help physicians fight these claims. They can also help doctors compensate patients in case the practice has to pay damages.
Combating Malpractice Claims
The definition of malpractice is improper, illegal or negligent professional activity or treatment, especially by medical professionals. One of the most common causes of medical malpractice claims is misdiagnosis, according to Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz L.P.A.
A doctor may miss a diagnosis for a variety of reasons. In many cases, missed diagnoses are simple mistakes. However, in other cases, the failure of a physician to properly interact with patients may lead to a claim.
Physicians should do everything they can to prevent malpractice risks. One of the ways to do so is to establish practices of open communication with the patient. That way, the physician has access to information that may aid in making a diagnosis.
Proper Patient Interaction Techniques
Keep close tabs on a patient’s progress throughout his or her visit.
- Before meeting with a patient, review his or her medical history. Remind yourself of the patient’s needs.
- Get an updated history of the patient. Be sure to ask about new symptoms or any recent illnesses or hospitalizations.
- Make sure that you talk with a patient in a way that both of you can understand. If you don’t understand a patient’s explanations, ask them more detailed questions.
- Don’t start any new treatments without a comprehensive review of the patient’s history. New medications or procedures may pose risk to a patient.
- Always get a patient’s full consent before examining them or starting new treatment.
- Make sure that the patient clearly understands any changes to treatment plans.
- If patients cannot speak for themselves, work with their guardians to choose the best care options
- Catalog all tests and samples taken from a patient like X-rays and blood samples. Make sure to verify that all of the results you receive correspond to the correct patient.
- Don’t perform any procedures or examinations that you or your office are not equipped to handle.
A physician who keeps comprehensive tabs on patients is less likely to face malpractice claims.
If you need malpractice insurance, look no further than Joseph A. Britton Agency. We can give you the best malpractice coverage for your practice. Give us a call at (908) 654-6464 for more information.