1.0 hour of Continuing Medical Education (CME) credit awarded for each concurrent session, click here for more details.
W-01
A-Team Approach to Decreasing Defense Costs
Speakers in this session will discuss different methods of cutting defense costs. Susan Robinson, an experienced hospital risk manager, will describe internal risk management techniques. Amanda Mount, a claims manager, will explain how to decrease defense costs once counsel is retained. David Young, an experienced medical malpractice attorney, will discuss methods used by counsel to conserve costs when litigating a case.
Objectives: Describe how to utilize enterprise risk and early recognition to mitigate risk early. Focus on implementation of early settlement technology and mitigating costs once counsel has been retained. Learn the benefits of defense counsel evaluating a case early, determining the direction of case, and focus discovery.
Amanda Mount, RN, BSN, JD, CPHRM
Willis of Texas, Inc.
Houston, TX
David Young, JD
La Cava & Jacobson, P.A.,
Tampa, Fla.
Susan Robinson, RN, BS, CPHRM
CHRISTUS Health Risk Management
Houston
Phoenix Convention Center, Room 122
W-02
Moving a Program Forward - Assessment, Restructure and Implementation
This session will discuss the need to periodically assess a risk management program in order to determine its sufficiency and effectiveness. The speaker will discuss the timing and logistics of a comprehensive risk program risk assessment. She will explain that once the assessment is completed, a strategic risk management plan should be created from the findings, with the ultimate result being a prioritized list of action items for completion during a 12-18 month period of time. She will utilize a case study to show the need for the assessment, the actual findings, and the resulting risk plan and action items.
Objectives: Identify criteria for when a risk assessment is needed for a risk management program. Develop a strategic risk management plan from the risk assessment findings. Learn methods to accomplish effective implementation of action items arising from the strategic plan.
Pamela Popp, MA JD DFASHRM CPHRM AIM DSA
D. Richelle Heldwein, MPH, B.S., R.T. (R), CPHRM
Western Litigation
Greenwood Village, Colo.
Phoenix Convention Center, Room 131
W-03
Disclosure in Ambulatory Care: Do the Right Thing in the Right Way
Disclosing an adverse event can be a wrenching experience especially when the healthcare provider lacks organizational support. Despite positive findings regarding the benefits of disclosure, few studies have examined the transparency protocol as it relates to the physician in the office practice or in the independent surgi-center. In this interactive learning experience, the speakers will address unanswered questions about conducting disclosure discussions including the limits of apology and acknowledgment of responsibility. They will share tools for guiding a successful disclosure experience in the ambulatory care environment.
Objectives: Describe communication strategies to contain the escalation of defensive feelings. List three disclosure techniques that can be used in any office practice. Explain the patient’s perception of disclosure.
Barbara Worsley, DMA
Susan Marr, CPHRM
The Doctors Company
Los Angeles
Phoenix Convention Center, Room 132
W-04
Ethical Challenges in Healthcare Quality and Risk Management
NAHQ members are concerned about recent cases of retaliation and at least one case of criminal prosecution of healthcare quality professionals who were taking appropriate action to address significant clinical quality concerns consistent with their job responsibilities. Intimidation, retaliation against, or prosecution of healthcare quality professionals who, in the course of performing their job functions, seek to remedy significant quality issues has a profound and deleterious effect on the healthcare system. Speakers in this session will discuss the findings and recommendations of the NAHQ Ethical Dilemmas Task Team. They also will discuss their recommendations from their collaboration with other stakeholders.
Objectives: Describe current ethical challenges in healthcare quality and risk management. Recognize professional responsibility to manage ethical dilemmas impacting healthcare quality/safety. Identify available resources and carry out prudent measures if facing an ethical dilemma.
Lee Hamilton, JD, MPA, RN, CPHQH, FNAHQ
Yakima Valley Farm Worker's Clinic
Toppenish, Wash.
Grena Porto, RN, MS, ARM, CPHRM, DFASHRM
Quality, Risk & Safety Healthcare Consulting, LLC
Hockessin, Del.
Michael Callahan, JD
Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP
Chicago, IL
Moderator
Ruth Nayko, RN, B.S.N., M.B.A., CPHQ, CPHRM
Phoenix Convention Center, Room 124
W-05
Code Blue: Communication Breakdown Drives Diagnostic Failure in the ED
CRICO/RMF Strategies medical malpractice database, the largest of its kind, ranks ED in the top five for all medical lawsuits from 2005 to 2009 (8,000 cases, $2 billion in damages). ED physicians and nurses from 15 hospitals met to discuss these claims and look at issues leading to medical errors in their EDs. They learned that failure to obtain/communicate critical information is a key contributor to diagnostic failure. In this session, participants will learn: communication breakdowns that contribute to the primary driver of malpractice claims, five areas of critical information that mitigate diagnostic failure, and solutions for improving RN/MD communications that support diagnostic success.
Objectives: Learn critical communication breakdowns that contribute to the primary driver of malpractice claims. Define the five areas of critical information that mitigate diagnostic failure. Evaluate potential solutions for improving RN/MD communications that support diagnostic success.
Dana Siegal, RN, CPHRM
CRICO/RMF Strategies
Cambridge, Mass.
Phoenix Convention Center, Room 129
W-06
Demystifying the CMS Hospital Conditions of Participation Changes 2011
Hospitals that accept Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement, which includes most hospitals in the U.S., are required to follow the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Conditions of Participation. The Conditions of Participation must be followed on every patient—not just Medicare or Medicaid patients. Due to significant changes to the program in 2011, hospitals are finding it difficult to keep up. CMS activities for both complaint surveys and validation surveys have increased and hospital administrators do not want to be found out of compliance. This can’t-miss session will discuss the changes and proposed changes to Conditions of Participation. It also will cover the anesthesia changes (for the fourth and final change), visitation, advance directives, patient rights, IV medication, pharmacy, blood and blood products, telemedicine, respiratory and rehab.
Sue Dill Calloway RN Esq. CPHRM
AD, BA, BSN, MSN, JD
Patient Safety and Health Care Consulting
Dublin, OH
Phoenix Convention Center, Room 126
W-07
Chasing Your Tail: Risk Management Considerations for Employed Physicians
Hospitals continue to increase their acquisition of employed physician practices. This session will explore the reasons for the trend and also delve into the risk management and insurance issues associated with on-boarding new physicians. Speakers will discuss the implications of assuming prior liabilities of a Medical Malpractice policy versus requiring doctors to purchase a tail, and the need for creation of a separate physician risk management program. Two systems will share the lessons they have learned.
Objectives: Define the reasons why hospital systems are hiring physicians and how this compares with the past. Examine and analyze the insurance issues associated with hiring physicians. Describe risk management considerations as it relates to physician practices.
Erin Eldridge, RN, MBA, CPHRM
Catholic Health Partners
Cincinnati
Mary Gutman, RN, MS, CPHRM, DFASHRM
Premier Health Partners
Dayton, Ohio
Merry Robinson
Brower Insurance Agency
Dayton, Ohio
Phoenix Convention Center, Room 125
W-08
Defending Suicide: Investigating and Defending a High Profile Event
An onsite suicide is one of the most devastating events that can occur in a healthcare setting. How the event is handled, internally and externally, will determine whether the matter could be successfully defended in a malpractice action by the remaining family or estate. This session looks at the necessary investigation following a suicide, including the chain of custody of evidence, an outline for interviews of key onsite personnel, identification of industry experts on the foreseeability of suicide and forensic experts on the impact of medications and/or treatments.
Objectives: Learn case law and evidence based practice on the foreseeability of suicide. Identify key investigation steps necessary to prepare a thorough defense. Maintain secure custody and control of key evidence secured through the investigation.
John Fitzpatrick
Andrew (ACE) Efaw
Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell LLP
Denver, CO
Phoenix Convention Center, Room 128
W-09
2011 Aon/ASHRM Hospital Professional Liability and Physician Liability Benchmark Analysis
The speakers will present the results of the 2011 Aon/ASHRM Hospital Professional Liability and Physician Liability Benchmark analysis, including analysis of professional liability by hospital department, state, and key demographic variables. Their presentation will include statistical (graphical) information from the study, along with insights regarding the observed trends. The speakers will explain the practical implications of the research for hospitals who self insure professional liability.
Objectives: Understand the current professional liability environment. Compare hospital professional liability cost of risk to peer group results. Use industry research in forming and adjusting your professional liability risk management strategy.
Erik Johnson, FCAS, MAAA
Kristin Monopolis, FCAS, MAAA
AON
Raleigh, N.C.
Phoenix Convention Center, Room 122
W-10
Are You Ready for ERM? Elements of a Basic Assessment
Lead your organization into ERM more effectively. Initial ERM program development depends on several key factors. This program will discuss how you can determine whether your organization has 1) executive support at the right level, 2) a culture that allows the ERM decision-making process to work, and 3) other assets that can be leveraged to strengthen ERM. Make your initial efforts more successful by identifying pre-existing strengths. Learn how to develop other features of your structure and culture in preparation for ERM. You will receive tools to help make those first steps easier.
Objectives: Develop a plan for ERM implementation based on your organization’s current state of readiness. Evaluate existing organizational processes that could be assets and determine how they can support ERM. Examine organizational culture in the context of ERM to determine if it can support the program.
Kathryn Wire, JD, MBA, CPHRM, FASHRM
Kathryn Wire Risk Strategies
St. Louis, Mo.
Mary Peter
Allison O’Connor
Eide Bailly, LLC
Minneapolis
Phoenix Convention Center, Room 129
W-11
Forever Changed: Patient Safety Shared Learning
In an effort to promote patient safety, Baptist Health has instituted a process called Shared Learning. By sharing the lessons learned across the health system when a significant event occurs, it provides an opportunity to improve processes and educate all employees, leadership and its boards. The philosophy of shared learning is to prevent similar incidents from occurring. During this session you will view a video created from an adverse event which highlights the lessons learned, actions taken and relationships formed.
Objectives: Describe the philosophy and benefits in implementing a Shared Learning program. List the steps needed to implement the process of sharing lessons learned for your organization. Identify two adverse events in your organization that using a Shared Learning would have prevented.
Geri Schimmel, RN, MS, LHRM
Yvonne Zawodny, RN, LHRM, CPHRM
Baptist Health South Florida
Coral Gables, Fla.
Phoenix Convention Center, Room 124
W-12
For your convenience this session is also offered on Tuesday from 1:45-2:45 PM
Patient Safety initiatives in Tough Times: Strategies for Sustained Success
Being a champion for patient safety and quality improvement is difficult. Not only has the economy put severe downward pressure on resources, but recently published studies on the lack of safety progress since the landmark IOM report (1999) have made it even harder to gain and sustain buy-in for safety initiatives. This highly interactive, rapid-fire, panel session will explore strategies for effectively communicating the value of patient safety efforts to peers and senior executives, share lessons learned, identify potential barriers to sustained success, and discuss approaches for overcoming those barriers in this uniquely challenging economic and political environment. Objectives: Implement a communication strategy to highlight the effectiveness of safety initiatives. Describe effective leadership approaches for sustained patient safety success. Determine which levers for change (e.g. technology, policy, behavior) are ripe for action.
Colin Hung
RL Solutions
Toronto, Ontario
Georgene Saliba, RN, BSN, MBA, CPHRM, FASHRM, HRM
Lehigh Valley Health Network
Allentown, Pa.
Erin Graydon-Baker, MS, RRT
Partners Healthcare
Needham, Mass.
John Penrod, MBA
AHA Solutions
Chicago
Phoenix Convention Center, Room 132
W-13
LTC Risk Considerations: Age-Related Problem Behaviors in the Elderly Resident
Age-related changes in the brain predispose elderly residents to behaviors such as noncompliance, agitation, depression and combativeness, all of which can be very difficult to manage. This program provides reasons for those behaviors; important signs and symptoms to watch for; management techniques to prevent danger to the resident and others; and family, regulatory, and legal issues to consider in the treatment of these residents.
Objectives: Describe the aging processes that can result in dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease and aberrant behavior. State how to set realistic expectations of family members. Identify regulatory prescriptive and unique legal issues that interfere with the use of restraints.
Kelley Woodfin, RN, BS, DFASHRM, CPHRM
CORE Risk Services, Inc.
Sandy, Utah
Dawn Cushman, JD
Ryan, Datomi & Mosely, LLP
Glendale, Calif.
Kristen Lambert, JD, MSW, LICSW
Allied World National Assurance Co.
Boston, Mass.
Phoenix Convention Center, Room 126
W-14
Where are the Fireworks? Managing Difficult Patient/Family Behaviors
In today’s world, poor coping skills, financial stress and serious illness often combine to produce a recipe for unpredictable violence and crisis situations. The University of Michigan Health System has developed a team with representatives from risk management, psychiatry and security that provides a rapid response to situations that have historically resulted in sentinel/adverse events. This session presents the health system’s protocol, offers specific details and covers characteristics of the program that will assist staff in recognizing behaviors and personality types that lead to these events. It provides concrete suggestions and proven methods of intervention to halt the escalation of events. Objectives: Recognize those patients/families that create situations that will escalate despite typical interventions. Describe strategies and interventions that contain behaviors. Discuss individual staff and team responses to critical incidents.
Karen Adkins-Bley, RN, BSN, MSA, JD
Barbara Shaw, LMSW
Joshua Smith
University of Michigan Health Systems
Ann Arbor, Mich.
Phoenix Convention Center, Room 131
W-15
Determine Hospital Risk Management Staffing Through Analytics
Risk managers currently have limited ability to determine required department staffing levels, based on current literature and the lack of quantifiable staffing models. The audience will understand the theoretical framework and results of an independent research project designed to establish a standardized means and quantifiable formula to objectively determine and justify staffing levels. The research project was based on the gathering of time data for essential risk management activities necessary to support the function. It was beta tested at a large multi-hospital healthcare delivery system in Texas.
Objectives: Employ tracking tools to gather time data on 24 risk management activities. Analyze time data in order to determine required staffing necessary to support risk management. Communicate required staffing necessary to support hospital risk management workload.
Kenneth W. Felton RN, MS, CPHRM, DFASHRM
Willis
Hartford, Conn.
Sheila Hagg-Rickert, CPHRM, DFASHRM
Christus Health
Houston
Chrystina Howard, ARM, CRM, CIC
Willis Nashville, Tenn.
Phoenix Convention Center, Room 125
W-16
Drug Shortage Crisis
Drug shortages have increased at an unprecedented rate over the last five years, threatening public health and patient safety. Unavailability of critically needed drugs, especially injectables, has caused harm and compromised care. The session will describe the status and impact of drug shortages, describe national initiatives to improve the situation, and provide practical strategies for managing shortages.
Objectives: Describe the scope and seriousness of the drug shortage crisis. Identify at least two solutions proposed by an interdisciplinary coalition of healthcare providers. Formulate a risk management plan for drug shortages in a hospital or health-system.
Dan Ross, Pharm. D.
City of Hope National Medical Center
Duarte, CA
Bona Benjamin, B.S. Pharm
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
Bethesda, MD
Phoenix Convention Center, Room 128