Click on a date in the menu on the left to access a previous issue of Risk Review.
Or, scroll through the titles listed below of previously published articles. To do a search by keyword, use the "search" or "find" feature in your internet browser (usually located in the "Edit" menu).
Risk Management & Patient Safety:
Allocating Resources for Risk Management: An Analysis of Office-Based Medical Practices' Claims Data (Fall 2010)
When the Patient with Pain Becomes a Pain Management Case (Fall 2010)
Princeton Insurance Hosts the Patient Experience Workshop (Summer 2010)
Medical Records: Best Friend or Worst Enemy? (Summer 2010)
A Risk Management Approach to Physical Exams (Summer 2010)
New Jersey Law Expands Chiro Services -
Does expanded scope = increased risk? (Spring 2010)
Hospitalists: A Specialty on the Rise (Spring 2010)
A Risk Management Approach to Simultaneous Bilateral LASIK Surgery (Spring 2010) -
see also Bilateral LASIK Surgery Claim Abstract
Claim Allegations: Then & Now (Winter 2010)
The Evolution and Impact of Patient Safety Over the Past 10 Years (Winter 2010)
The Inherent Risks of Treating Geriatric Patients: Part II in a series (Winter 2010) -see Fall 09 issue for Part I-
Psychiatry: Handling Records Requests (Fall 09)
Empowering Your Patients, From a Physician's Perspective (Fall 09)
After-Hours Calls: Management & Documentation (Fall 09)
The Inherent Risks of Treating Geriatric Patients, Part I (Fall 09) -see Winter 2010 issue for Part II-
Releasing Records: Reduce the confusion (8/09)
Fighting Identity Theft with the "Red Flags" Rule (8/09)
Infection Control - a new addition to the patient safety toolkit (8/09)
Meaningfully Using Qualified EHRs (8/09)
Medical Futility (8/09)
Claim Abstract: Improper Medication Management & Monitoring (5/09)
Mandatory Disease & Injury Reporting (5/09)
Comparative Clinical Effectiveness Research (5/09)
Electronic Medical Records - Patient Safety & Risk Management Guide (1/09)
Defining the Top Radiology Patient Safety & Risk Issues (1/09)
Preventing Wrong-Site Tooth Mishaps (1/09)
Treating Friends & Family: A Slippery Slope (1/09)
Tracking & Follow-Up of Tests, Consults and Referrals (11/08)
October 15 Patient Safety Seminar Recap (11/08)
Defensive Medicine - Does it Help or Hurt? (11/08)
Getting Familiar with Patients' Personal Health Records (9/08)
Consultations: Who Follows the Patient? (9/08)
Medication Management in the Practice Setting (9/08)
The Art of Effective Communication (9/08)
REDUCING RISK: When Patients Don't Return for Follow-Up Care (7/08)
Urgi-Care Centers and Walk-in Hours Present Special Risks (7/08)
Chiropractor Documentation Tips (7/08)
Taking the Pen Away from Physicians (7/08)
Clinical Decision Support Systems: How they have evolved (5/08)
Hand-Off Communication: A Patient Safety Strategy (5/08)
Documenting Phone Calls: Toolkit resources to assist you (5/08)
Cultural Diversity in Medical Care (5/08)
Wrong Site Surgery (3/08)
Job Descriptions and Performance Evaluations for the Office Practice (3/08)
Walking the Tightrope of the New Electronic Discovery Rules (3/08)
Another Article on Documentation? (3/08)
Princeton Insurance Hosts Roundtable Workshop on Credentialing (1/08)
Does Service Excellence Really Matter? (1/08)
Is Your Electronic Health Record Structured to Provide You with Legal Protection? (1/08)
Adapting Patient Care Equipment Can Be Risky (1/08)
Physician-Patient Email: Protecting your practice (11/07)
EHRs: One Doctor's Positive Experience (11/07)
Electronic Health Records - Can you practice without them? (11/07)
Electronic Health Records: A Primer (11/07)
Balancing Art & Science in the Diagnostic Process (9/07)
What Must the Patient Be Told After an Adverse Event? (9/07)
For Chiropractors: Laser Therapy and Manipulation Under Anesthesia (9/07)
Incorporating Shared and Informed Decision-Making Techniques into your Patient Interactions (9/07)
A Failure to Communicate (7/07)
When Patients Don't Return for Follow-Up Care (7/07)
Patient Health Tutorials: Resources to aid in the informed consent process (7/07)
Patient Self-Referrals (7/07)
Assuming Care of a New Patient (7/07)
Psychiatrists and Psychologists: Protect Thyself (7/07)
Getting the Board "On-Board" to Drive Quality and Safety: What that means for physicians and other hospital leaders (5/07)
Beauty or the Beast: Risks in Cosmetic Dentistry (5/07)
About the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners (3/07)
Preparing for Value-Driven Healthcare (3/07)
Medication Samples (3/07)
Physicians' Response to Patient Safety and Quality Initiatives: Coordinated Efforts Recommended (1/07)
Risk Management in Obstetrics (12/06)
Communicating Critical Test Results (9/06); Communicating Critical Test Results, Part II (12/06); Communicating Critical Test Results - 3 Claims Reviewed (1/07)
Colored Wrist Bands - Help or Harm? (9/06)
About the Patient Safety Act (7/06)
Satisfying Patients (7/06)
Patient Safety-Driven Risk Management (7/06); Patient Safety-Driven Risk Management, Part II (9/06); Patient Safety-Driven Risk Management, Part III (12/06)
Credentialing (5/06); Credentialing - Part II (7/06)
Analyzing Charts (5/06)
Patient Referrals for Specialty Care: The need for coordination (2/06)
Reducing Risk Documents:
Physician Beware: Even a Time-Tested Favorite Drug Can Pose a Signficiant Risk (Kenalog) (Fall 2010)
Dental Electric Handpieces: Dangerous Overheating (Fall 2010)
Physician Assistants Performing EMGs (Summer 2010)
When Patients Don't Return for Follow-Up Care (7/08)
Assuming Care of a New Patient (9/07)
Guide to Investigating Events in the Physician Practice (5/07)
See all Reducing Risk documents here.
Ask the Expert/From the Risk Resource Line:
As I plan for an absence from my practice, what are the considerations of which I should be aware with respect to my patients? (Fall 2010)
What are my risks in using cone beam CT? The equipment may yield films capturing more than just the oral cavity. What is my responsibility (liability) for any anomaly that may appear in areas adjacent to the oral cavity on the films that I take? (Summer 2010)
I work in a physician office where we are considering implementing an automated telephone call recording system. We'd like to record incoming patient calls for quality improvement purposes. Would this be legal, and if so, what risk management guidelines do you suggest? (Fall 09)
How does the law protect me from one of my patients secretly taping our encounters without my prior knowledge and expressed authorization and using the information against me? How might I prevent this? (8/09)
What are the risks involved, if any, when filling out surveys regarding patient care that are sent to me in the mail? Should I avoid them at all costs? (5/09)
After reporting a medical error to a patient safety organization, what information, if any, is protected from discovery should litigation arise? (1/09)
What are my legal obligations in New Jersey when a patient who is deaf requests an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter? (11/08)
I was sued for professional liability. Now that the case has been resolved, do I need to keep my files? If so, for how long? (9/08)
What is the legal exposure when a patient's chart is missing, incomplete or destroyed? (7/08)
My patient asked if she could tape record her office visit. How do I handle this situation? (5/08)
Several of my patients recently asked me if it is okay for them to communicate with me using email. Are there any risk management issues that I should consider? (3/08)
What is the time period within whch a claim of medical malpractice must be filed, according to New Jersey's statute of limitations? (1/08)
I read a lot about EHR and EMR - what is the difference? (11/07)
What should I do with water-damaged x-ray films or medical records? (9/07)
In New Jersey, what are the reporting obligations for treating patients with seizure disorders who wish to obtain a driver's license? (7/07)
Medical record retention policies and procedures (5/07)
Treatment of Minors (3/07)
What do I need to know about releasing copies of medical records of deceased patients in my practice? (1/07)
What is the correct fire protection system for cooking areas? (12/06)
What to do if your prescription pad is lost, stolen or altered (9/06)
Claim history reports - Q & A (7/06)
The importance of maintaining walkways (5/06)
Managing liability risks while the "jury is still out" on a particular protocol; specifically regarding bisphosphonates for medical conditions (2/06)
General Liability:
Portable, Electric Space Heaters (Fall 2010)
Building, Sidewalk and Parking Lot Safety Concerns (Summer 2010)
Rise in Water Damage Claims at Dental Offices (Spring 2010)
Smoke Detectors (Winter 2010)
Fire Safety in the Physician Office (8/09)
Wet Location Electrical Outlets (5/09)
Monthly Fire Extinguisher Inspection (1/09)
Circuit Box Labeling (11/08)
Is Your Office Prepared to Treat an Obese Patient? (7/08)
Treating Patients with Disabilities (5/08)
Electrical Safety (3/08)
911 and Business Addressing: Tips for ensuring a speedier response (1/08)
When Lightning Strikes: Protecting all things electronic in the event of a natural or manmade disaster (11/07)
Winterizing Your Practice (9/07)
Security in the Physician Office (7/07)
Medical Equipment Management (3/07)
Wrongful Termination (1/07)
Tip of the Month: Professional Liability
Medical Clearance for Surgery:
Red flags prompt further action (Fall 09)
Double-Checking Meds Before Administration (5/09)
Surveying Patients (1/09)
When to Call for Back-Up (11/08)
Chart Flow in the Physician Office Practice (9/08)