Marcy A. Metzgar
One of the key challenges in addressing maternal mortality is the racial disparity that exists. Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than White women.1 While maternal mortality rates dropped remarkably for White and Hispanic women in 2023, Black women saw markedly higher rates at 50.3 deaths per 100,000 live births compared to 14.5 for White women, 12.4 for Hispanic women, and 10.7 for Asian women.2 In fact, women in the United States are 50 percent more likely to die in childbirth than their own mothers.3
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Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM
Successful communication among healthcare providers has long been a critical element of patient safety, particularly now with the growing emphasis on collaborative and team-based care. As healthcare delivery has evolved and caring for the patient population has become more complicated, the paradigm of the solo practitioner has given way to more complex healthcare systems and multidisciplinary teams that involve clinical and nonclinical roles.
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Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM
The concept of psychological safety is increasingly viewed as a critical component of an overall culture of safety in healthcare. Leaders and other individuals within healthcare organizations have seen the value of psychological safety in promoting an environment of caring and well-being, improving patient outcomes, preventing staff burnout, cultivating staff resilience, and supporting staff recruitment and retention. Psychological safety also plays a pivotal role in fostering diversity, belonging, and openness.
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Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM
In today’s modern and connected world, cyberattacks are relentless but not unexpected. Almost everyone has been targeted at some point, from individuals to governments. Healthcare organizations, in particular, sit in the crosshairs because of the amount of valuable and sensitive data they maintain, such as protected health information, personal information, financial data, and intellectual property.
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Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM
Allegations associated with diagnostic errors — i.e., wrong diagnoses, delayed diagnoses, and missed diagnoses — are a top cause of malpractice lawsuits. Various risk factors can lead to diagnostic errors, including issues related to documentation of clinical care.
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Jeanne E. Mapes, JD, CPCU, CPHRM
Claims involving improper credentialing often coincide with allegations of improper and inadequate training. This case examines a failed resuscitation effort at an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) in which credentialing issues, deficient emergency response procedures, and lack of staff training all contributed to a tragic outcome.
Read more Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM
Technology has created opportunities for physicians, dentists, and other healthcare practitioners to extend the reach of their professional practice beyond the physical limitations of their practice settings. Through the use of telehealth technologies, providers can evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients in other localities, which can increase access to, convenience of, and choices in care.
Read more Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM
Credentialing and privileging — the processes by which a healthcare organization assesses and confirms the qualifications of a healthcare provider and authorizes the provision of specific services — play an important role in patient safety and high-quality care. These processes are essential for traditional, in-person care and care delivered via telehealth.
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