HRM Healthcare Challenge
Sylvia Reed, Director of Human Resource Management for the Western United States at Vila Health, has come to you for advice regarding current best practices of avoiding malpractice by healthcare professionals. She hopes to see a practical approach to avoiding litigation concerning this issue and asks how you would respond to a malpractice situation.
Using course resources and your own research, include the following in your advisory report:
• Summarize the researched malpractice cases.
o Choose cases from two different medical staff roles.
o Describe the errors that resulted in the litigation of the malpractice cases.
• Evaluate how the practices, policies, and systems contributed to the ethical, legal, or regulatory failure in the malpractice cases.
o Be sure to identify the practices, policies, and systems for both cases involving different roles.
• Recommend how to avoid future litigation in similar malpractice cases.
o What best practices can HR institute to be preemptive in avoiding future litigation?
o What would the benefit be to the organization and to patients?
o Explain how your approach is primarily ethical, legal, or both.
Sample Solution
Advisory Report: Avoiding Malpractice Litigation at Vila Health
Introduction:
This report addresses Ms. Sylvia Reed's request for best practices on avoiding malpractice litigation at Vila Health. It analyzes two malpractice cases involving different medical staff roles and proposes preventive measures Human Resources (HR) can implement.
Summarized Malpractice Cases:
Case 1: Physician - Misdiagnosis
- Error:A physician failed to order a crucial diagnostic test (mammogram) during a routine checkup for a patient with a family history of breast cancer. The patient was later diagnosed with advanced-stage cancer, which could have potentially been detected earlier.
- Inadequate History Taking:The physician may not have thoroughly investigated the patient's family history, missing a crucial risk factor.
- Lack of Standardized Guidelines:Clear protocols for ordering diagnostic tests based on patient risk factors might have been absent.
- Error:A nurse administered the wrong medication due to a medication name mix-up, causing severe side effects in the patient.
- Medication Labeling Issues:Similar medication names or packaging could have contributed to the error.
- Inadequate Safeguards:Double-checking procedures, barcode scanning systems, or fatigue management protocols might have been lacking.
- Pre-employment Screening:Implement thorough background checks and competency evaluations for all medical staff.
- Mandatory Training Programs:Ensure ongoing training on best practices, including communication, patient safety protocols, and error prevention strategies.
- Open Communication Culture:Encourage open communication about concerns and near misses to identify and address potential problems.
- Performance Management:Regularly assess performance and address any recurring issues promptly.
- Reduced Litigation Risk:Proactive measures demonstrably reduce the risk of malpractice lawsuits, protecting both the organization and patients.
- Improved Patient Safety:A focus on best practices creates a culture of safety, leading to better patient outcomes.
- Enhanced Staff Morale:A strong safety culture fosters trust and reduces stress for healthcare professionals.