The Lilliputian Influence of CV Surgeon Report Cards on Referrals by Cardiologists
The holy grail for bean counters who focus on healthcare quality are tools for patients to help them find the best doctors. The argument goes: transparency will help drive quality initiatives; the data will help patients find the better doctors. The process took off … Read more
Sometimes You Settle a Case; Then You Get Sued Again. Crap.
We learned of a case where a patient was injured at a hospital. The treating doctor and the hospital were sued. Doctor decided to settle for policy limits – $1M. He believes he got out early and can sit on the sidelines. He reasonably believes … Read more
Johns Hopkins to Pay $190 Million to Settle Claims Gynecologist Secretly Videoed Patients
Dr. Nikita Levy was a gynecologist affiliated with Johns Hopkins. He secretly photographed and videotaped women’s bodies in the examining room. When I say secretly, I mean without their knowledge or consent. Dr. Levy apparently wore a pen-like camera around his neck to accomplish the … Read more
Avoiding liability when you’re asked to do more than you’re trained to do
We continue with our series of general educational articles penned by one attorney, an MD, JD, giving you a view of the world through a malpractice plaintiff attorney’s eyes. This attorney is a seasoned veteran. The series includes a number of pearls on how to … Read more
The Story of the Make a Wish Foundation
If you’re like me, you’ve certainly heard of the Make a Wish Foundation. What I did NOT know was the story of the man behind the Foundation – who he is and why he started it. The man is Frank Shankwitz. He was … Read more
Red Flag City
A plastic surgeon called me recently. He routinely examines his female patients with a female chaperone in the room. This is a good idea. Make that – a great idea. While it’s not common to be accused of inappropriate sexual contact, the accusation does occasionally … Read more
Prescribing opioids – Navigating the minefields
We continue with our series of general educational articles penned by one attorney, an MD, JD, giving you a view of the world through a malpractice plaintiff attorney’s eyes. This attorney is a seasoned veteran. The series includes a number of pearls on how to … Read more
Not on call. Just finished a large glass of wine. The ER calls. What to do?
Most physicians wake up every day intending to do the best possible job and help their patients. They work long hours, sacrifice a normal family life, and don’t always receive a thank-you note. Digest the following hypothetical. You and your partner are the … Read more
Agreements to allow a doctor to respond to a patient’s untruthful online post.
Recently, a doctor asked our thoughts on whether his standard HIPAA Notices of Privacy Practices could be amended to allow him to disclose protected health information online “to set the record straight.” His goal was not to debate a patient’s opinion. Rather, he wanted … Read more
Can a Board of Medicine Discipline a Doctor for Participating in State Sanctioned Execution?
Botched executions are in the news again. The vast majority of states that allow for state sanctioned death penalty perform the execution via a three drug protocol. The first drug is an anesthetic – such as propofol or a barbiturate. The second … Read more
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