Clinicians are not held liable simply because something bad happened, e.g., a side effect occurred or a patient harmed himself. Clinicians are held liable if it was their negligence that led to the harm. So, we must make sure we take the appropriate precautions to reduce the risk of bad outcomes and that our actions and reasoning are documented.
Here are some valuable resources with practical tips about risk management. A few of them are articles on this website. The others are from PRMS, a leading malpractice insurance company (used with their permission) or links to articles on other websites.
Risk management—Prescribing
Don’t fail to document this crucial part of informed consent
Off-label prescribing: Clinical recommendations
What are the regulations regarding prescribing out-of-state?
Are YOU liable if the patient doesn’t get essential blood tests done?
Can I take my medication with me when I travel to another country?
What to do about medications when traveling to Japan
Prescribing controlled substances: Managing the risks (PRMS)
Reducing risk when prescribing for children and adolescents (PRMS)
Myths & Misconceptions: Patients who obtain multiple prescriptions (PRMS)
Medication samples in the office: Understand the risks to the patient and to the psychiatrist (PRMS)
Risk Management Considerations When Patients Are Noncompliant With Medications (Psychiatric News)
Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs)
Risk management—Suicide
Practical pointers for managing risk when treating patients with suicidal behaviors (PRMS)
Lessons to be learned: A review of post-suicide malpractice lawsuits (PRMS)
Risk management—Special populations
Reducing risk when prescribing for children and adolescents (PRMS)
Practical risk management pointers for the treatment of geropsychiatric patients (PRMS)
Risk Management Considerations When Treating Fellow Physicians (Psychiatric News)
Risk management—Supervision and Consultation
The “curbside” consult and what it means for you (PRMS)
Supervision of nurse practitioners
Risk management—Termination of the care of a patient
How much notice when “terminating” a patient?
Tips on writing and sending a termination letter
Do’s and Don’ts for providing referrals when the care of a patient is terminated
Termination of treatment (audio interview)
Termination of the physician-patient relationship (PRMS)
Termination of the physician-patient relationship: Do’s & Dont’s (PRMS)
Risk management—HIPAA
Why (HIPAA-compliant) emails with patients are invaluable
Risk management concerns regarding email with patients
Communicating with patients via email (link to PRMS website)
Is your desktop or laptop computer HIPAA-compliant?
Use a VPN when accessing/ sending patient information over a public Wi-Fi network
Which VPN services are highly recommended?
Risk management—Documentation
A golden rule for documentation (YouTube video)
Risk management—Other topics
Medical malpractice insurance companies for mental health clinicians
Failing to plan…is planning to fail (PRMS)
Risk Management Considerations When Evaluating Fitness for Duty (Psychiatric News)
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