Preventing Errors in Preoperative Clearance (Claims Corner) - Activity 3483

Primary care providers (PCP's) routinely manage complex elderly patients with multiple comorbidities who require elective surgery. Errors can occur when providers are rushed, there is a lack of effective interoffice communication, & the patient has a low health literacy. Communication and care coordination issues are commonly noted among PCP's and consulting specialists. The Doctors Company has analyzed closed claims where PCP's have been held responsible for failures in surgical mismanagement, specifically preop clearance. This program will highlight the contributing factors identified in malpractice claims involving medical clearance and provide practice strategies for reducing liability risk.

Learning Outcome Statement: 80% of learners will demonstrate increased knowledge of potential communication deficits in clinician-patient communication and how to incorporate an effective communication tool to reduce the risk of patient harm.

To obtain credit and a certificate of completion, learners must score 80% or higher on a post-test and complete a program evaluation.

Learning Objectives apply to all professions.

1. Identify the population of patients in my practice at high risk for complications during the surgical process of care.
2. Identify patient communication deficits in my practice.
3. Develop a practice policy for preop medical clearance including medical optimization, surgical risk assessment, appropriate patient education and direct communication with consulting providers.
4. Incorporate the use of effective communication tools to reduce the risk of patient harm for patients at high risk for complications during surgical process of care.

The Doctors Company is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. The Doctors Company designates this activity for a maximum of 0.5 nursing contact hours. Learners should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Disclaimer
The information and guidelines contained in this activity are generalized and may not apply to all practice situations. We recommend that legal advice be obtained from a qualified attorney for specific application to your practice. The information is intended for educational purposes and should be used as a reference guide only.

State Requirements for Continuing Education
Please see your state licensing organization for continuing education requirements for your profession and specialty.

Accessibility
The Doctors Company is committed to ensuring that its programs, services, goods, and facilities are accessible to individuals with disabilities as specified under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008. If you have needs that require special accommodation, please contact the program coordinator or our CPE Coordinator.

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships