Risk Management

Get strategies for avoiding malpractice claims and board allegations by accessing our extensive library of articles and posts. NCMIC D.C.s can get even more by logging in and browsing our Examiner archives ... including real-life case studies, articles and Q & As about potential claim situations.

Categories

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  15

  ARTICLES & VIDEOS Documentation Mistakes in your records can put your practice at risk.
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  33

  ARTICLES & VIDEOS Operational & Staff Risks Employee and office matters reflect on you and your practice.
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  10

  ARTICLES & VIDEOS Malpractice Defense Considerations when a patient files a lawsuit or is considering one.
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  3

  ARTICLES & VIDEOS Professional Boundaries Reduce the risk that your good intentions will be misconstrued.
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  27

  ARTICLES & VIDEOS Case Studies Read real-life situations and learn from the experiences of others.
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  ARTICLES & VIDEOS Clinical Risks Assess and treat the patient for their treatment and care needs.
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  16

  ARTICLES & VIDEOS Social & Electronic Media Factors to be aware of with popular communication methods.
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  12

  ARTICLES & VIDEOS Board & Regulatory Ways to avoid licensing board and regulatory agency issues.
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  32

  ARTICLES & VIDEOS Patient Interactions Essentials to keep in mind when interacting with patients.
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  7

  ARTICLES & VIDEOS Continuing Education Get CEs and valuable information through NCMIC's many offerings.

Recent Articles

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  What Is My Risk with a Walk-in Patient?

  Question: I plan to move my practice to a busy street next to a regional mall. I'd like to take advantage of the location and build my practice by encouraging walk-ins. I think it would be a great opportunity to reach people who have back or neck pain to try chiropractic care for the first time. What liability issues should I be aware of with accepting walk-ins?

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  POSTED IN Patient Interactions
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  Maintaining Professional Boundaries on Social Media

  When your patients want to get to know you, allowing them to have some insight into your personal life is not a bad thing, as it helps you develop a connection with your patients. The best place to do this is on your website—rather than connecting on social media—where you can highlight your education, hobbies, family, etc., and control the information being published.

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  POSTED IN Social & Electronic Media
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  Doctor Learns Why Not to Date a Patient

  Some doctors don't necessarily see anything wrong with dating a patient. They may live in communities where everyone runs in the same social circles. Others think who they date is a private matter as long as it's between consenting adults. The following case study, written by Bruce Hodges, D.C., is about a real doctor who crossed the line.

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  POSTED IN Professional Boundaries
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  The Doctor-Shopping Patient

  Our attorney has found that the chronic or "doctor-shopping" patient may be more likely to file a lawsuit or board allegation.

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  POSTED IN Patient Interactions
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  The Questioning Patient

  What is the best way to address "questioning" patients? These are patients who clearly imply a lack of confidence in your expertise by questioning everything you say and do.

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  POSTED IN Patient Interactions
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  When Your Patient Files Bankruptcy

  You have been notified that your patient has filed bankruptcy and your balance is included in their debts. Now what happens? What are your options? We were recently presented with this scenario, and our claims representatives were ready with an answer.

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  POSTED IN Patient Interactions
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  Is a Doctor Liable if a Patient Injures Someone?

  Question: A 52-year-old male with back pain and hypertension came in for a follow-up appointment after diet, exercise and chiropractic care all failed to improve his hypertension. His blood pressure was at critical level, 195/106. The patient's internist wanted to see the patient right away, and after leaving my practice, the patient fainted while driving and nearly struck a young girl. Would I be liable if she was injured?

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  POSTED IN Malpractice Defense
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  Doctor Fails to Heed Caution Signs in Treating Patient

  Ryan Borton was a 41-year-old factory machinist weighing 350 pounds. On January 13, 2014, he was walking to his car after work when he slipped on ice and landed on the right side of his back. A rib X-ray was taken that day at the emergency room, which was negative for fracture. Mr. Borton was sent home with instructions to rest and ice his sore back and ribs.

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  POSTED IN Case Studies
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  What DCs Should Know About Security Cameras and HIPAA

  Security surveillance cameras are showing up everywhere. For chiropractic practices, surveillance cameras offer patients and staff an added measure of safety. Because you are operating a healthcare facility, however, you need to be aware of HIPAA concerns if you decide to use these cameras.

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  POSTED IN Operational & Staff Risks
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  5 Embezzlement Red Flags

  QUESTION: My practice is busier than ever, but I'm not seeing an increase in profits. My front office assistant seems competent in handling the financial matters and I really don't like that part of the practice. Is this something I should I be concerned about?

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  POSTED IN Operational & Staff Risks