Minimizing Exposure in Malpractice Cases

1
Minimizing Exposure in Malpractice Cases

• Richard P. Kidwell
• UPMC
• Director of Risk Management

2
Defenses

• Best Defense is No Claim
• How?
• Documentation
• Communication

3
DOCUMENTATION

• Patient Interaction
• Judgment
• Reconstruction

Physician Involvement
4
DOCUMENTATION

• Date Time
• Legible
• Contemporaneous
• Corrections
• Diagrams
• No Chart Wars

5
CHART

• C clear, concise, contemporaneous
• H honest
• A accurate
• R readable
• T timely

6
Communication

• Legal
• Other Providers
• Patient/ Family

7
ERRORS

• Disclosure Policy
• Team Decision
• Team Discussion

8
STAR

• S Sympathize and apologize
• T Tell what happened
• A Assure changes made
• R Remain available and accessible