Risk Management

Giant Cell Arteritis Toolkit (2022)

Allegations of failure to diagnose are common in medical malpractice lawsuits against ophthalmologists. Some ophthalmic conditions, such as giant cell arteritis (GCA), have a short window for diagnosis and treatment. The patient then risks severe bilateral vision loss, and the treating ophthalmologist incurs liability exposure.

OMIC offers the following tools, developed by board member Ron Pelton, MD, to help ophthalmologists strengthen their diagnostic and patient management process for GCA:

Giant Cell Arteritis Checklist

·         Helps prompt questions to ask patients during the work-up, and track completion of key tests and consults.

GCA Pt Info Sheet with Consent-Refusal

·         Supports communication to patients of signs and symptoms to watch for and instructions for contacting the ophthalmologist. Includes a sample form to document the patient’s understanding of GCA in general and consent or refusal to proceed with treatment in general.