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Logging hundreds of calls a year, the OMIC Risk Management Hotline is OMIC's most valued and widely used risk management service. Many of the questions called into the Hotline concern issues of broad interest to the profession. Below you will find risk management articles addressing these issues.
Comanaging refractive surgery patients - Ophthalmologists and optometrists are increasingly comanaging the postop care of refractive surgery patients. Is an ophthalmologist liable for a comanaging optometrist's negligence? What steps can an ophthalmologist take to minimize the risks of comanagement? More
Informed consent and minors - Parents or guardians are legally authorized to give informed consent for medical treatment of a minor child. But what rights do divorced parents, stepparents, or foster parents have when it comes to making medical decisions for their child? In what situations can minors be treated if their parents or guardians are unavailable? More
Oral communications and patient confidentiality (Part Two): When is it okay to talk with attorneys, third party payors and other health care providers about a patient's care and treatment? What is the protocol for verifying the identity of a caller inquiring about a patient's condition? This article discusses breaches of patient confidentiality in oral communications with third parties. More
Oral communications and patient confidentiality (Part One): Oral communications a patient's medical information tends to be treated more casually than written communications, setting the stage for breaches of confidentiality and exposure to litigation. When is it okay to talk with others about a patient's medical history? More
Free vision screening risks: What is your liability if you provide free vision screening exams? This article looks at how you can limit your exposure and still provide this beneficial service to the community. More
Limited liability corporations: Does "limited liability" eliminate the need to purchase entity coverage for your Limited Liability Corporation? This article addresses the exposures and coverage issues pertaining to this relatively new - but rapidly forming - type of business entity. More
Coumadin and eye surgery: Should you discontinue a patient's Coumadin prior to eye surgery? This article looks at the clinical and legal ramifications of discontinuing this popular anticoagulant prior to surgery. More
Hold harmless clauses in managed care contracts: Ophthalmologists who contract with third party providers may unknowingly be increasing their liability exposure since these contracts often contain language shifting responsibility for economic harm from the entity to the physicians. This article offers advice on how to recognize and address these hold harmless clauses. More
Terminating the physician/patient relationship: Inappropriately severing the relationship between ophthalmologist and patient could result in charges of patient abandonment and liability if the patient suffers injuries as a result of the termination. More
