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MaternOhio's physician members and staff understand the importance of solid patient management and risk management strategies. Now, more than ever, the health provider environment demands that physicians are implementing techniques to decrease their risk. The proper incorporation of the following initiatives in conjunction with practicing within the scope of "standard of care" helps to minimize the risk of medical malpractice. MaternOhio's risk management product includes the following:
One of the benefits of this program is that it provides an initial response team of a personal defense attorney and claims manager who are available 24/7 to respond to problems and concerns on a "quick-react" basis. By having access to both your claims manager and defense counsel coordinator, you have the opportunity to solve problems before they get started. Your attorney will be involved in all claims from an interdiction and litigation management control aspect. By having a personal defense attorney available at all times, a physician is guaranteed immediate protection of their conversations related to an exposure situation, and the protection of confidential information. Resources are available to assist physicians on how to handle charting, meetings with families, etc. in the unfortunate circumstance of adverse outcomes. It is critical to have immediate assistance available.
MaternOhio is committed to quality patient care and open lines of communication between the physician and the patient. The patient advocacy program is a mediation process in which the physician and patient work together (and sometimes with a neutral third party) to resolve any questions or concerns that patients may have in an attempt to continue to foster a healthy doctor / patient relationship. The sole intent of the mediation agreement, which is signed by all patients, is to provide a basis of resolving any problems that the patient may have or perceive that they have, while at the same time preserving the legal rights of both the practitioner and patient. While the mediation agreement is mandatory, it has no binding effect beyond the goal of resolving conflicts or concerns.
MaternOhio's Risk Assessment Committee's (RAC) physician members and legal counsel approved our incident reporting form. The incident reporting form is completed by the physician in the event of an adverse outcome. The completed form is reviewed and analyzed by the Claims Committee and the Risk Assessment Committee and stored in our database. It is critical to understand that the physician receives peer review as these committee's are physician attended and physician driven. In addition to having access to MaternOhio's incident reporting form, the participating physician receives access to the risk management process and assessment. Again, the physician has access to both claims management and legal services.
The consent forms that have been approved by the physician members of the Risk Assessment Committee and legal are:
- Amniocentesis
- Breast Cancer Screening
- Cesarean Delivery
- Dilation & Currettage (D&C) or Hysteroscopy
- Laparoscopy
- Laparotomy
- LEEP
- Obstetrical Ultrasound
- Prenatal Genetics Screen
- Tubal Ligation
- Vaginal Surgery
- VBAC
We are currently working on educational programs that should add to your defense in medical malpractice cases, as well as providing practical solutions to everyday problems. In addition, we will provide guidelines related to loss control and risk management issues. Since approximately 50% of claim payments are for claims where it is highly questionable that any negligence occurred, we need to develop better defenses against the payment of frivolous claims. In addition, we are working to schedule bi-annual or quarterly lectures regarding patient management and documentation on a variety of subjects.
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