Fluorescein Angiography
February 9, 2022
Dear OMIC Insureds:
Our Risk Management Hotline periodically receives calls from insureds regarding who may perform fluorescein angiography. State laws vary as to who may perform venipuncture and administer intravenous (IV) fluorescein dye. In some states unlicensed personnel are allowed to perform venipuncture after completing specific training and certification, while other states allow only licensed personnel, such as registered nurses, to administer fluorescein.
Determine the laws governing venipuncture and the administration of IV fluorescein by contacting your state’s medical society, medical board, and nursing board. If the law does not specify who may perform these tasks, seek the advice of your practice attorney. Make patient safety a priority. Train and certify staff members, and include these tasks in their job descriptions.
Read more about delegation of tasks, management of complications, and informed consent by clicking on this link: Fluorescein Angiography Recommendations and Consent.
If you have questions, contact us for confidential risk management advice at riskmanagement@omic.com or call us at 1-800-562-6642 and enter 4 for Risk Management.
Sincerely,
Linda D. Harrison, PhD
Vice President, OMIC Risk Management
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This correspondence is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or otherwise protected from disclosure. Dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail or the information herein by anyone other than the intended recipient, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify us at riskmanagement@omic.com and destroy the original message and all copies.
When and How to Contact OMIC
January 11, 2022
Dear OMIC Insureds:
Happy New Year!
We hope that 2022 will be uneventful, but when issues related to patient care or your coverage do arise, please know that OMIC is ready to help. Below is a list of our primary customer service groups, along with a brief description of when to contact them and how to do so.
Risk Management
Risk Management’s goal is to help you identify professional liability risk and to recommend strategies to mitigate it. Contact the Risk Management group if you have the following situations:
· You have a specific patient issue that you feel may develop into a liability risk
· You have questions regarding your practice policies.
· If you have questions regarding risk management courses or upcoming seminars.
For confidential risk management advice, either email us at riskmanagement@omic.com or call us at 1-800-562-6642, and enter 4 for Risk Management.
Claims
The goal of the Claims group is to defend you against allegations of negligent care. The Claims group should be contacted directly if the following occurs:
· You have received a notice of a claim alleging negligent care from an attorney, the courts, or directly from a patient.
· Cyber liability incidents (Computer security breaches, phishing, hacking and ransom demands).
· You have received a medical board complaint.
· You have a question of about a claim already reported to OMIC.
· Contact OMIC Claims
Underwriting
The Underwriting group manages your policy and the premium charged.
There is a specific underwriter managing your policy. Contact that individual directly if:
· You have questions regarding coverage provided by your OMIC policy.
· There are changes to your practice location(s), scope of practice, or work status, such as part-time hours, maternity or medical leave or sabbatical.
· You have questions about your premium.
· Contact OMIC Underwriting
Sales
Our Sales team can help any ophthalmic practice that may be interested in adding additional ophthalmologists, optometrists or even acquiring another practice. They can also assist in providing additional information for a higher limit for Cyber (e-MD) and Regulatory protection, e.g. HIPPA, Billing Audits, etc., beyond what is included in our malpractice insurance policy. Contact the Regional Sales Manager for additional information: OMIC Sales.
Sincerely,
Hans K. Bruhn, MHS, OMIC Risk Manager
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This correspondence is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or otherwise protected from disclosure. Dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail or the information herein by anyone other than the intended recipient, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please call me and destroy the original message and all copies.
Requests for Refunds
December 7, 2021
Dear OMIC Insureds:
Dealing with unanticipated outcomes is one of the most difficult aspects of medical practice, especially if an error contributed to the result. While many physicians want to talk to their patients about adverse events, they may be hesitant to do so for a variety of reasons. OMIC has always encouraged its policyholders to communicate honestly and compassionately with their patients about unanticipated outcomes including an open discussion regarding requests for refunds.
To read about our risk management recommendations for ophthalmologists on how to handle these difficult situations, please consult Responding to Unanticipated Outcomes (page 9-10).
If you have questions, contact us for confidential risk management advice at riskmanagement@omic.com. Or call us at 1-800-562-6642, enter 4 for Risk Management.
Sincerely,
Michelle Pineda, MBA, OMIC Risk Manager
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This correspondence is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or otherwise protected from disclosure. Dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail or the information herein by anyone other than the intended recipient, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please call me and destroy the original message and all copies.
_________________________________________________
November 2021 Bulletin: Don’t Let the Telephone Compromise Care
November 4, 2021
Dear OMIC Insureds:
Making medical decisions over the phone is a necessary part of practice, but there are risks: OMIC’S claims experience confirms that inadequate telephone screening, improper decision-making, and lack of documentation all play a significant role in ophthalmic malpractice claims. Negligent telephone screening and treatment of postoperative patients is especially likely to result in malpractice claims.
OMIC’s Telephone Screening of Ophthalmic Problems is a comprehensive toolkit that outlines these risks and arms you with practical solutions, including sample screening guidelines and contact forms.
In addition, our pre-recorded presentation, Telephone Screening: Liability Issues and Guidelines, illustrates the pitfalls of telephone contact through closed case analysis, and offers strategies to help you reduce risk and ensure safer patient care.
If you have questions, contact us for confidential risk management advice atriskmanagement@omic.com. Or call us at 1-800-562-6642, enter 4 for Risk Management.
Sincerely,
Jane Mock, CPHRM
Risk Manager
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This correspondence is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or otherwise protected from disclosure. Dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail or the information herein by anyone other than the intended recipient, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please call me and destroy the original message and all copies.
OMIC Activities During the AAO Annual Meeting in New Orleans, November 11-15, 2021
October 14, 2021
Dear Colleague:
Please join us at the 2021 AAO Annual Meeting in New Orleans. We are offering risk management courses to physicians, nurses, and administrators. You can also ask us your specific questions at the OMIC Booth, #3939.
OMIC insured physicians may earn a risk management premium discount by attending any of these four presentations:
• Friday, November 12, 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm., Morial, Room 211-213
AAOE Instruction Course (#MC04)
Clear Communication Matters: Minimize Risk and Improve Practice Team Dynamics
Denise R. Chamblee, MD, OMIC Board Member
Jane Mock, CPHRM, OMIC Risk Manager
AAOE ticket required
• Saturday, November 13, 2:00 to 3:15 pm
OMIC Bruce Spivey MD Forum
Morial Center, New Orleans Theater AB
Benefits versus Goals: Managing Patient Expectations in Refractive and Oculofacial Plastic Surgery (SYM61).
Panelists include OMIC Board Chair Daniel J. Briceland, MD; OMIC Board Member Robert G. Fante MD, FACS; OMIC CEO Timothy J. Padovese, MBA; and OMIC VP of Risk Management Linda D. Harrison, PhD. The course will present closed claims data that illustrate how patient selection, communication of surgical goals, documentation, and informed consent, impacts patient satisfaction and liability risk. Included in AAO registration.
• Saturday, November 13, 4:07 pm to 4:48 pm., Morial, Room 243-245
OCU08-Section VII: OMIC Risk Management
PPP: Pandemonium in the Practice of Plastics*
Robert G, Fante, MD, FACS, OMIC Board Member
Linda D. Harrison, PhD, OMIC VP of Risk Management
Included in the Subspecialty Day fee
*ASOPRS members who attend the live or live virtual lecture will receive a 10% discount
• Virtual: November 13-15, 2021
841V-AAOE Practice Management
Medical Malpractice Risk Management 101
Hans K. Bruhn, MHS, OMIC Risk Manager
No additional fee required
For nurses and technicians (No OMIC discount offered):
• Sunday, November 14, 12 noon to 1:00 p.m.
Hilton New Orleans Riverside, Grand Ballroom CD
IJCAHPO Course #O5SU4
Documentation: Strategies to Minimize Risk
Hans K. Bruhn, MHS, OMIC Risk Manager
IJCAHPO ticket required
Meet OMIC Directors and staff at the OMIC booth, #3939
The OMIC booth serves as a resource center for information on our malpractice insurance and additional coverage benefits, our resources and support, and the benefits of being an OMIC member. You can also meet OMIC Board and Committee members, as well as staff from our Claims, Risk Management, Sales, and Underwriting Departments. Bring us your coverage questions and practice concerns.
I look forward to seeing you at the meeting!
Sincerely,
Michael Tigani, MD
Chair of OMIC’s Risk Management Committee
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This correspondence is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or otherwise protected from disclosure. Dissemination, distribution or copying of this e-mail or the information herein by anyone other than the intended recipient, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify us at riskmanagement@omic.com and destroy the original message and all copies.
