Follow These Tips to Prevent Malpractice Lawsuits
Healthcare professionals are often passionate and committed about what they do. However, mistakes can always occur, no matter how much experience a person has. Mistakes in something as fragile as healthcare, though, can have serious consequences. When this happens, it can be categorized as medical malpractice, which is when a hospital, doctor, or other healthcare professional causes an injury to a patient through neglect or omission.
Since malpractice lawsuits can affect the reputation of institutions and the career of healthcare professionals, they should be taken very seriously. If you work in healthcare, then the best way to keep yourself protected is to take preventative measures to avoid medical malpractice.
How to Avoid Malpractice in Healthcare
- Communicate
Many people underestimate how important communication really is. In fact, many malpractice lawsuits could have been avoided if there was better communication in place. You should always be clear about medical information and processes, but you should also encourage your patients to discuss any questions or concerns with you.
By improving your relationship with your patients, you can better understand their needs. This not only helps you avoid long and expensive lawsuits, but it can also help you treat them in the most efficient way possible.
- Stay Up-To-Date on Policies and Standards of Care
Some professionals may accidentally go against the standards of care for lack of knowledge in the area, but this is not an accepted excuse in medical malpractice. Medical laws differ among states, but they can even vary between hospitals. You should be aware of the standards and comply with them, while also staying up-to-date on any changing policies.
- Proper Documentation Is Key
Healthcare providers often see many patients a day, so they may not remember the exact details of a patient they saw last month, or even last week. Even if they do, the paperwork will help you defend your actions in court. Proper documentation should be detailed and record all findings, advice, instructions, decisions, and anything else that occurred during the visit. Remember to date, time, and sign every entry.
- Always Get Informed Consent
Informed consent is permission granted with full knowledge of the possible consequences. This means that it’s your responsibility to give all of the necessary information so that the patient can make an informed decision on whether or not they want the procedure; make sure to explain the procedure to your patient and identify the cost and possible risks.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
If you’re unsure how to treat a patient or how to properly do a procedure, then communicate with other providers or your healthcare institution. By seeking additional consultation, you can prevent a patient from receiving the wrong treatment and possibly getting injured. This can save you from being accused of medical malpractice and possibly ruining your career.
- Take Your Time
Unfortunately, some institutions want healthcare providers to see as many patients as possible, which may be a result of lack of funds and understaffing. However, the law does not find this an excuse for rushing through appointments and procedures, so it’s better to protect yourself by making sure you’re following protocols throughout every single appointment.
- Follow Up With Your Patients
This ties into better communication, but it’s often overlooked. When you follow up with your patients, they have the opportunity to voice any concerns or offer you valuable feedback on their experience. This will give you the opportunity to resolve any problems directly with the patient, which shows them that you’re willing to work with them to improve their treatment plan. You should also follow up with specialists or professionals that were involved in a patient’s treatment so that everyone works cohesively.
Many malpractice lawsuits can be avoided by taking preventative measures. However, if you do find yourself fighting a malpractice case, then it’s important that you have an experienced healthcare law attorney to provide legal advice to help you overcome your case. At AMS Law Group, we have experience representing different types of healthcare professionals, including doctors, clinical laboratories, and other medical facilities.