Q I'm planning to establish my own web site; what are the risks?
A.
-
- CAPsules 4th Qtr. 2002,
"Forwarding Lab Results To Patients"
CAPsules 1st Qtr. 2002,
"E-mail: Opportunities & Risks for Physician-Patient Communication"
CAPsules 1st Qtr. 2000,
"Internet Medicine: On your marks, get ready, set…(go?)"
Q. Under what circumstances may I discontinue care of a patient from
my practice?
Q. What risks are involved if I choose to discontinue care of a patient
from my practice?
Q. May I discontinue care of a managed care patient from my practice?
A.
-
- "Discontinuing a Patient
from your Practice"
Q. To what extent am I responsible for obtaining the care I believe
my HMO patient needs but the HMO denies/delays?
A.
-
- CAPsules 3rd Qtr. 1999,
"The Patient's Healthplan Won't Approve the Tests/Treatments you
Ordered! Now What?"
Q. What do I need to know about advance directives?
A.
-
- Please note: By January 2005, patient forms must be printed in 12 point type.
CAPsules 3rd Qtr. 2000,
"Health Care Decisions Law: New Rules Governing Advance Directives"
Q. Is parental consent necessary for treatment of a minor patient?
What kinds of treatment may minors consent to?
Q. I have pediatric patients whose parents are divorced. How can I avoid legal issues with regard to consent and treatment?
A.
-
- "Consent for Minors"
CAPsules 2nd Qtr. 2003, "Sick Kids of Divorced Parents; How treating physicians stay clear of Legal Entanglements"
Q. I have been sued for medical malpractice by one of my patients.
I believe the case has no merit; I'm tired of nuisance claims that
waste my time and may affect my malpractice coverage. Can I counter-sue
the patient?
A.
-
- CAPsules 2nd Qtr. 1998,
"Malicious Prosecution Counter-suit"
Q. Is it alright to perform a limited ultrasound on my pregnant patient
who wants to know the sex of the fetus?
A.
-
- CAPsules 2nd Qtr. 1998, "Limited
Fetal Ultrasound Exam: Risks May Exceed Benefits
Q. Who in my practice can perform laser therapy for removal of tattoos,
wrinkles, hair, etc.?
A.
-
- CAPsules 3rd Qtr. 2000, "Performance
of Laser Therapy Prohibited"
Q. Do patient complications in my outpatient surgery center have
to be reported?
A.
-
- CAPsules 2nd Qtr. 2000 "New Laws
in Year 2000 That May Affect your Practice"
Q. What key issues should I be concerned about when doing procedures
in my office?
A.
-
- CAPsules 4th Qtr. 1999 "Office
Surgery: Minor Procedures May Involve Major Risks"
Q. What are the key factors in protecting my patients' privacy?
Q. I want to make sure when releasing patient records with HIV results that I do so appropriately. What do I need to know?
A.
-
- CAPsules 1st Qtr. 2003, "Release of HIV Test Results"
CAPsules 3rd Qtr. 1999 "Patient
Privacy: Practical Tips to Avoid Being Caught in a Legal Crossfire"
Q. With increasing use of the telephone feature "call blocking",
I sometimes cannot get through to my patients when I'm attempting
to return their calls. Unless I enter my phone number (and I often
call from home or cell phone, which I prefer to keep private), the
connection will not be completed. How can I protect myself?
A.
-
- CAPsules 4th Qtr. 2000 "Returning
Calls to Blocked Telephones"
Q.Elder abuse claims are on the rise. What can I do to avoid this risk in my practice?
A.
-
- CAPsules 2nd Qtr. 2004, Case of the Month: Elder Abuse Cases: Health Care Provider or Custodian?"
CAPsules 4th Qtr. 2003 Case of the Month: "Elder Abuse Act Applies to More Than Just Elders"
CAPsules 4th Qtr. 2001, "All Physicians are Potentially at Risk for Elder Abuse Claims" and Case of the Month: "Elder Abuse - Addressing the Patient's Quality of Life"
Q. How does the MPT Peer Review process work?
A.
-
- CAPsules 1st Qtr. 2004 "Peer Revew: A Core Value of Membership"
CAPsules 3rd Qtr. 2004 "Peer Revew: A Core Value of Membership Part II"
Q. I'm considering converting my paper records to an Electronic Medical Record system in my practice. What key issues do I need to address?
A.
-
- CAPsules 4th Qtr. 2003 "Setting the Record Straight - The Physician's Legal Obligations in Using Electronic Medical Records"
Q. I am frustrated that some of my patients do not follow my advice and are non-compliant. What can I do?
A.
-
- CAPsules 3rd Qtr. 2003 "Just What the Doctor Ordered: Dealing with Non-compliant Patients"
Q. I have received a medical record release authorization from a family member of a deceased patient. Do I have authority to release the record?
A.
-
- CAPsules 2nd Qtr. 2003 "Authorization for Release of Deceased Patient's Records"
Q. What are my risks and obligations when I receive copies of my patients' records from former physicians?
A.
-
- CAPsules 3rd Qtr. 2002 "Outside Medical Records: What to do When you Get Them"
Q.If my patient refuses my recommended treatment plan, must I try to persuade her to change her mind?
A.
-
- CAPsules 2nd Qtr. 2002 "Informed Refusal; Risks & Consequences of Withholding Consent"
Q. My hospital has asked me to take on more responsibilities that I think may increase my risk. How can I respond?
A.
-
- CAPsules 2nd Qtr. 2001 "Risky Business: Physician-Hospital Relationships"
Q.I am covering this weekend for a physician colleague. What are my responsibilities?
A.
-
- CAPsules 1st Qtr. 2001 "On CAll this Weekend? Read this First"
Q. How long must I keep medical records? (Please note: As Fraud and Abuse regulations have changed since the publication of this article, CAP recommends you retain records for at least 10 years, rather then the 7 yhears as stated in the article.)
A.
-
- CAPsules 1st Qtr. 2000 "Retention and Storage of Patient Records - How Long?"
