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.
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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.
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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.
Read more Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM
Technological advancements in healthcare have helped improve access to, options for, and convenience of care — and telehealth has become an increasingly popular and viable choice for patients. Yet, even with these advancements, certain aspects of traditional medical care remain vital, including informed consent.
Read more Laura M. Cascella, MA, CPHRM
An important aspect in the provision of care via telehealth is abiding by appropriate standards of care and scopes of practice, which are defined by federal and state laws, professional boards, accrediting agencies, specialty associations, payers, and so forth. Prescribing medications to patients as part of telehealth services — online prescribing — falls into the parameters of “standards and scope,” and healthcare providers must take precautions to ensure they are prescribing within legal and professional boundaries.
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