You’ve likely seen headlines announcing massive data breaches of sensitive data maintained by large banks or credit card companies and wondered if there really is any way to keep your personal information completely “safe” in an age of almost universal electronic and online data transactions.  Well don’t look now, but health care is quickly following suit with much of our sensitive health information moving to EHRs and communication between physicians and practices being conducted often by email on PDA devices or portable computers.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that the information you maintain electronically is not at risk. In the past 6 months alone, OMIC has recorded claims related to unauthorized access to EMRs, lost laptops with health and financial records, destruction of health files, and theft of information by disgruntled employees. See the following articles that discuss:

  • eMD coverage OMIC has added to our malpractice policy to protect you
  • Tips on what you should do to secure your electronic data

OMIC Resources:

What You Should Do Now To Protect Your Patient’s Eye Health Information

EMR Data Breach: Who Ya Gonna Call?

BRP/eMD Q&A

AMA Guide on Data Encryption:

HIPAA Security Rule

 

 

The February 2012 edition of EyeNet Magazine includes Twitterdom and Beyond: How to Get Started With Social Media, an article discussing the process of creating online marketing “buzz” for your ophthalmic practice. Among those interviewed was OMIC Committee Member Dr. Andrew Doan. See Your February EyeNet Magazine, pgs 73-74. EyeNet online edition will be uploaded here.

Getting Started With Social Media For Your Ophthalmic Practice

 

Related OMIC Articles:

Social Networking Policy for Your Ophthalmic Practice

Tweeting During Eye Surgery?

Is Your Facebook Page Discoverable?

Related AAO Presentation:

Harnessing The Power of Social Media for Your Practice

Other Resources:

MGMA Start-up Social Media Guide for Medical Practices

 

 

OMIC has issued more than $16 Million in premium credits for participation in our popular risk management courses since 2000. Upon completion of an OMIC online course, CD/DVD, or live seminar, OMIC physician insureds receive one risk management premium discount per premium year to be applied upon renewal. For most programs, a 5% risk management discount is available.

Insureds who are members of a cooperative venture society (indicated by an asterisk below) may earn a higher discount of up to $3,000, by participating in an approved OMIC risk management activity. Courses are listed below.

For more information on OMIC’s educational alliances with ophthalmic societies offered through the Cooperative Venture Network go here.

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The Watchful Eye is a hospital-based program for timely screening and follow-up of retinopathy of prematurity. Read more here. (Ojo Vigilante es un programa intra-hospitalario para la detección y el seguimiento oportuno de la retinopatía de la prematuridad).

Ojo Vigilante

 

“Ojo Vigilante”

Click on Image or here for the Watchful Eye Manual in Spanish.

(Vea el Manual de Ojo vigilante)

Other OMIC Documents in Spanish (Otros Documentos):

Missed Appointment letter

Noncompliant letter

Parents: Read This About Your Premature Baby’s Eyes!

Termination letter

See also ROP: Creating a Safety Net covering obstacles to ROP care, hospital support, claims, and recommendations.

 

 

 

An interesting new article appearing in the December issue of Review of Ophthalmology highlights what to expect from the next generation of ophthalmologists. Leaders within the specialty, including OMIC Board members Tamara Fountain, MD and Susan Day MD, discuss the current generation (known as the “Net Gen” or Generation “Z”) of applicants to ophthalmology residency and fellowship programs.

Highlights:

2012: The number of residency positions filled is rising and the quality of fellowship applicants continues to be high.

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The latest OMIC Digest was mailed recently. If you missed it, you can always download an electronic copy here at OMIC.com. Highlights include:

  • Surgery Briefings: How time-outs, checklists, and surgical team briefings are improving post-surgical outcomes.
  • Closed Claim Study: A retained Mitomycin-C sponge during combined trabeculectomy and cataract surgery highlights need for accurate system to count sponges during ophthalmic surgical procedures.
  • Upcoming Course Topics: Recent Malpractice Case Studies, Abandonment of Patients, Top Ten Payments for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, Professional Liability Risks Associated with Premium IOLs, Malpractice Liability and EHRs.

    Continue reading…

The Obama Administration continues to focus energy on fighting fraud & abuse within healthcare under the “Campaign to Cut Waste” established nearly three years ago. By some estimates, the government has recovered $7 in fraudulent payments for every $1 spent on the program so far.  The Department of Justice recovered over $2.8 billion in healthcare fraud in 2011 and began prosecutions for more than $1 billion in newly identified fraudulent claims.

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On average, an ophthalmologist will be sued for medical malpractice at least twice during the span of a normal 20-30 year career. Surviving a malpractice claim against your practice can be stressful, however the vast majority of claims are successfully defended without payment to the plaintiff.

A key factor in the successful defense of your claim will be superior preparation and knowing what to expect during the legal process. OMIC’s popular web based Litigation and Deposition Handbooks are designed to assist ophthalmologists who are going through this stressful experience. Download your free copies below.

OMIC Litigation and Deposition Handbooks

Deposition Handbook for the Ophthalmologist -

This handbook offers an overview of medical malpractice law, as well as practical advice and point-by-point instructions on being a deponent.

Litigation Handbook for the Ophthalmologist -

This handbook provides an overview of the litigation process to help readers understand the various stages of a case with a general understanding of legal procedures.

 

(You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this PDF file. If you do not have the PDF Reader, get it for free at Adobe’s website)

 

 

UPDATE: Meeting Recap

Thanks to all who have visited OMIC’s exhibit at Hawaiian Eye 2012! We’ve recorded more than 300 visits to the OMIC Insurance Center booth making this one of the most successful meetings ever. Interesting facts we’ve noted from the courses:

Cataract Surgery No Longer #1 Performed Procedure. Kevin Corcoran announced that intravitreal injections have taken over the top spot as the most commonly performed ophthalmic procedure. Expected trends include increased scrutiny by CMS, falling reimbursements, and increased malpractice claims. OMIC has recorded claims activity arising from lack of procedure specific consent documentation. See here for OMIC consent forms for various drugs used for intravitreal injections.

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OMIC supports ophthalmic meetings across the United States each year through exhibits, advertisements, and sponsorships. We encourage you to visit the OMIC Insurance Center exhibit when we are near you. Our dedicated staff will be happy to answer your coverage questions and update you on the latest OMIC policy information and risk management resources.

Stop by OMIC’s traveling exhibit for:

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