Page 16 - APP Collaboration - Assessing the Risk (Part One)

SVMIC Advanced Practice Provider Collaboration: Assessing the Risk

Top Risk Issues

Let us switch gears to an overview of the top risk issues facing
APPs and collaborating physicians. Not surprisingly, a review

of SVMIC’s claims reveals the top four issues, as illustrated
in the graph, mirror those of physicians and are common risk

management topics: Communication, Systems, Medication,
and Documentation. The good news is most malpractice suits

are not predicated upon medical error or judgment. Rather the
mishaps in these four categories are for the most part avoidable

and are generally not a result of medical decision-making or
expertise. Factors such as communication failures, ineffective or

nonexistent patient safety systems, and simple medication error
often lead to patient harm and subsequent malpractice claims.

In the collaborative relationship, an inadequate understanding of
the nature and scope of practice under the given circumstances

can also lead to claims. Taking time to review and master the
basics, such as effective communication practices, sharing

findings with other healthcare professionals, and explaining
follow-up instructions clearly to the patient, as well as reviewing

test results, medical records, and transitions of care processes,
will provide a safety net to avoid litigation.

We will explore each issue broadly and cover the primary factors
contributing to each topic. For a more in-depth analysis of these

risk issues, visit SVMIC’s Education Center for additional CME
courses.

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