Recent Decision to Remove Doctor Disciplinary Files from Web Stirs Controversy

A recent New York Times article sheds light on the protests regarding Obama's decision to remove a database of physician discipline and malpractice actions from the internet. The National Practitioner Data Bank created in 1986, allows the public - frequently used by researchers and reporters - to view oversight of doctors, trends in disciplinary actions and malpractice awards. In some instances, the database has resulted in new legislation helping contribute toward patient safety. However, the Health Resources and Services Administration have decided to pull the information from the web in fear that the public would abuse the anonymity of the site. Due to the overwhelming number of protests, the Obama Administration is reviewing the decision and making changes to ensure that the information displayed does not violate confidentiality laws.

Studies Show Malpractice Occurs in Outpatient Settings Too

New research indicates that those concerned about medical malpractice should be paying at least as much attention to outpatient settings as they are to inpatient ones. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found, based on data from the National Practitioner Data Bank, that from 2003 to 2009, paid malpractice claims for outpatient incidents decreased at a slower rate than those for incidents at hospitals (19.3 percent, compared with 24.6 percent), and that the proportion of paid claims involving outpatient settings increased during the same period. The study authors point out that there are 30 times more outpatient visits than hospital discharges each year, and that surgical procedures are increasingly being performed in less-regulated physicians' offices and ambulatory surgery centers.

Read full article.

Consumer Product Safety Commission Warns Public of Pool Dangers

With swimming weather upon us again, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is once more reminding parents of the serious risks pools pose to children. Drowning is a leading cause of death among American children younger than five and an average of 350 children drown each year. About 2,600 more are treated in hospitals after near-drowning's-some suffering severe, permanent injuries such as brain damage. The CPSC advises parents to deploy around their backyard pool a system of safeguards including barriers, alarms on doors leading to the pool and pool covers. The group also recommends keeping rescue equipment, a phone and emergency numbers near the pool and knowing CPR. For more information on child pool safety (and on diving safety), view this CPSC publication.

Michels & Watkins is a proud supporter of the Drowning Prevention Foundation.

Obama Administration Announces Plans to Reduce Medical Errors

On April 12, 2011, the Obama administration announced a new initiative to reduce medical errors and cut readmissions to hospitals in hopes of tackling errors made by hospitals that kills thousands each year. By partnering with private insurers, business leaders and patient advocates, the campaign hopes to cut the number of harmful preventable conditions by 40% over the next three years, and seeks to cut readmissions to hospitals by 20%. The new healthcare law will provide billions of dollars to improve care by rewarding hospitals and physicians that meet higher quality standards. In coming months, the administration plans to spend $500 million in grants to community-based organizations that partner with hospitals to monitor patients immediately after they are discharged, and another $500 million will go to test models for reducing nine types of common medical errors.

Medicare Publishes Reports Detailing Hospital Errors

In April 2011, the government published data compiled by Medicare detailing adverse events in hospitals such as falls, objects left behind in patients during surgeries, bloodstream or urinary infections associated with catheters, incompatible blood infusions, serious bed sores and more. The information was the first hospital-specific patient safety data ever released to the public and came from a review of hospital bills submitted for elderly and disabled patients between October 2008 and June 2010. Although the bills were only from Chicago-based hospitals, a nationwide report from the Institute of Medicine stated that hospital errors account for nearly 100,000 deaths each year. Many objections stemmed from the release of Medicare's report; however, government officials are committed to shining a light on the wrongdoings of hospitals because of their poor communication, inadequate follow up or other breakdowns in the processes of care. The fact remains that all of these adverse events are preventable and it is the hospitals responsibility to put the proper systems and procedures in place to avoid future errors.