Page 35 - Hospitalists - Risks When You're the Doctor in the House (Part One)

SVMIC Hospitalists - Risks When You’re the Doctor in the House

identify and prevent the types of process failures that give rise
to avoidable malpractice claims. Likewise, by following the

communication, medication reconciliation, and documentation
practices recommended by this course, you will be less likely to

have to defend yourself in a lawsuit.

Communication

Hospitalists spend more of their day communicating than they

do actually touching patients, with 26 percent of practice time
spent on the former and 18 percent on the latter according to

one expert. Effective communication is essential to establishing
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trust and building good patient rapport. With a trusting

relationship established between the physician and patient,
the likelihood that the patient will adhere to the treatment

plan increases. Research studies and malpractice claims have
indicated that lack of communication is the most common root

cause that can lead to patient harm. As a reminder, of the
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SVMIC cases reviewed, 69 percent involved communication
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breakdowns.

Communicating with Patients and Families

Communicating with patients and families in the midst of a
stressful situation such as a hospitalization can certainly be

challenging, but with clear communication, a physician can
reduce the stress of both the patient and family. A good rapport

with the patient and family also makes it easier for a physician

18 ACP Hospitalist, Conference Coverage, Twelve Ways to Improve Hospitalist Communication,
January 2010, Stacey Butterfield.
19 ECRI Institute, (2009, September), Communication, Healthcare Risk Control, Supplement A.
20 SVMIC Closed Hospitalist Claims 2008-2015.

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