Risk Management

With patient safety as the priority, risk management should focus on the avoidance of medical errors, as they are, along with inadequate informed consent, the most common assertions in malpractice claims in the United States. The purpose of this course is to provide healthcare professionals with the information necessary to engage in risk management practices, including a variety of proven strategies to avoid malpractice. In addition, members of the public may use this course to enhance their personal knowledge of the subject matter presented.

Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:

1. Define the most important issues and trends related to risk management and malpractice.
2. Define the key concepts in malpractice.
3. Outline malpractice-related laws, such as Good Samaritan laws, charitable immunity laws, and apology statutes.
4. Identify the most common underlying causes and characteristics of malpractice claims.
5. Describe the consequences of malpractice with respect to healthcare delivery and personal and professional effects on physicians.
6. Describe measures to enhance patient-physician communication, ensure appropriate disclosure of errors to patients, and guarantee adequate informed consent.
7. Develop efficient office processes to enhance documentation, diagnosis, test tracking, medication management, and other issues.

This 5-hour continuing education course is available for download for professional development; if continuing education credit is desired, please see instructions included in eBook.