Risk Management For Medical Office Staff

Protecting the Practice from Litigation

Last updated 2022-01-10 | 4.2

- Understand how they can manage numerous risks in the modern office medical practice
- Appreciate the legal concept of respondeat superior and the fact that physicians and other providers can be held responsible for the actions of medical office staff
- Avoid potential torts in their workplace
- including assault and battery
- false imprisonment and invasion of privacy
- and defamation of character

What you'll learn

Understand how they can manage numerous risks in the modern office medical practice

Appreciate the legal concept of respondeat superior and the fact that physicians and other providers can be held responsible for the actions of medical office staff

Avoid potential torts in their workplace

including assault and battery

false imprisonment and invasion of privacy

and defamation of character

Maintain their scope of practice

stay within the bounds of the law

and do not inadvertently engage in the "practice of medicine" unless duly licensed

Actively support the physician's informed consent efforts with patients. Staff will understand the crucial role they play being the "eyes and ears" of the practice

being approachable by patients

and insuring related informed consent paperwork is properly managed

* Requirements

* The student should have at least one month of practical experience working in a medical office environment.

Description

This course gives you the tools required to excel in today's rapidly changing medical office. You will master the art of managing risks, avoiding legal landmines, and protecting your medical office from lawsuits.

Increase Your Confidence And Value To Your Medical Office Team

By the end of this course, you will understand your role in minimizing risks.

- Understand tort law and how to avoid accusations of assault and battery, false imprisonment, and invasion of privacy.

- Recognize the importance of staying within your "scope of practice," patient satisfaction and its role in managing legal risk.

- Comprehend and appreciate the "team approach" in minimizing risk and accusations of malpractice and negligence.

Your role in managing risk in the modern medical office.

Do you know that 53% of medical-related lawsuits are related to outpatient healthcare? The average settlement is about $290,000. However, a vast majority of risk management investment has been on the inpatient, or hospital environment.

This course focuses on outpatient risk management. It emphasizes the role of patient satisfaction, regulatory compliance and interpersonal communications play in minimizing legal exposure.

Who this course is for:

Registered Nurses
Medical Office Managers
Physicians
Medical Assistants
Healthcare Risk Managers
Receptionists/Administrative Assistants

Course content

3 sections • 24 lectures

Course Introduction 9 lectures

Introduction to Risk Management Preview 08:09

In this lecture we take a macro view of risk management as it applies to medical office. Basic definitions for liability, litigation and risk management are provided. Categories such as liquidity, technological, political, casualty and market risks are briefly reviewed.

Quiz 1- Intro to Risk Management

Welcome to the course! Here are a couple of questions to see how we are doing. Take your time. No pressure.

Medical Office Risk- Insights_1 Preview 04:06

Insights_1

A review of trends that are influencing risk in today's outpatient environment.

Patients not Problems Preview 04:20

Patients not Problems

According to this lesson, there is a direct relationship between patient satisfaction with the office staff and their willingness to file a lawsuit

Respondeat Superior Preview 05:07

We look at the ancient practice of Respondeat Superior. It is the legal doctrine that results in making employers liable for the actions of their employees. Two external videos are included comparing criminal and civil law, and a concise definition for a tort.

Respondeat Superior

A review of why your boss, and you--

Medical Malpractice- An Overview Preview 10:13

Pressure Points 13 lectures

Potential Torts and the Medical Office Preview 06:30

How can civil torts such as assault and battery and false imprisonment occur in today's medical office? At the end of this lecture you understand such risks exist and how to avoid them.

Potential Torts

These questions check your understanding of some of the torts that can potentially occur in your workplace.

Scope of Practice Preview 08:52

In this lecture we cover the importance of staying within the approved scope of practice for your particular state and profession. A definition for "practicing medicine" is provided. Supplementary material includes a link to the American Association of Medical Assistants listing of state scope of practice requirements.

Scope of Practice

Informed Consent Preview 05:06

Informed consent is a keystone of modern healthcare. It involves making sure the patient understands their options and the implications of their care. This lecture discusses how office staff can support and assist in this important effort by being a patient advocate. The importance of communication and accurate paperwork is stressed. By the end of this lecture the student will have an appreciation of the "physician's quandary" as it applies to informed consent.

Informed Consent

Mandatory Reporting Requirements Preview 04:08

After this lecture, the student will have an understanding of the mandatory reporting requirements in their jurisdiction. Specific focus is on child, elder and domestic abuse. External resources and well as as a downloadable handbook provide specific reporting requirements for medical office staff.

Lab Tests and Failure to Diagnose Preview 06:31

Many outpatient malpractice claims revolve around late or missing diagnosis of an illness. Although yhr medical staff member does not perform the diagnosis of illness, they can support the physician. This lecture highlights the importance of lab test management and the staff's role in making sure the physician has what they need in a timely manner.

Dangerous Transitions Preview 05:06

In this section we describe the problematic nature of transitioning from the hospital environment to the medical office. The number of adverse medical events that occur during this process is nothing short than astounding.

Dangerous Transitions

A brief discussion to make you aware of the potential risks when a patient transitions from the hospital to your medical office.

Managing Disruptive Patients Preview 10:16

Patient Relations Preview 07:12

In this section we review how the office staff member can mitigate the likelihood of legal action. They can do this in two general ways. 1) Insure compliance with all regulatory requirements and 2) Understanding the role that patient satisfaction has on the decision to sue or not.

2021 Incident. Shooting at Medical Clinic Preview 09:11

This is an update to original course content. This event ended with the death of a medical office employee. It features many of the social challenges with struggle with daily.

Mental Health
Abusive Patients (and Red Flags)
Opioid Abuse
Availability of Guns
Workplace Violence

Protecting the Practice 2 lectures

Leverage your RM program for Competitive Advantage! Preview 12:17

In this section we mention how the office risk management plan can be leveraged as a marketing tool. It not only helps address risk, but it can also provide a competitive advantage. However, this lesson also reminds us the office RM plan can also be a double-edged sword. The instructor suggests actions should you have to deviate from your written plan.

Course Review and Conclusion Preview 06:16

We wrap up the course and quickly some of the key points in the previous lessons. The instructor also introduces two team-building resources you may want to consider for your office-- SBAR and CRM.