The goals of reporting events that impact patient safety are twofold: to avoid causing harm to patients and to improve healthcare. Sharing this information can inspire tremendous change. Positive Change When young children learn about personal safety, they are encouraged to speak up if they see something or someone that seems suspicious. The hope is that by confiding in a trusted adult, one of several…

With so many stories about lawyers, we’ve rounded up some of our favorites to share. While they may not be true to life, they still offer some great entertainment, as well as a reminder of how justice and law are inextricably linked. Television Shows LA Law: The show that led us to stop whatever we were doing every Thursday at 10, this show takes us…

Jury duty is an integral part of the legal system. It is a civic responsibility that allows ordinary citizens to participate in the administration of justice. And it is a very serious, solemn undertaking. Except – of course – when it isn’t. On April 7, 2023, the first episode of Jury Duty dropped on Amazon Freevee. It is mockumentary-style reality sitcom. Yes, it really is…

Physicians commit years to learning and training, so that they have the knowledge and skills to diagnose, treat, and care for patients. Their education is continuous, as new medicines, new treatments, new information require constant attention. When patients and their families have appointments with a physician, they expect expertise that is the result of this rigorous preparation. Doctors know things that people don’t know. Just…

After discovering that the guy who swept her off her feet at a ball is her family’s sworn enemy, Juliet boldly tells Romeo, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” She adores Romeo for who he is, not what he’s called. Learning his last name doesn’t change her feelings for Romeo, just as changing…

There is no doubt that access to information is at an all-time high. Instead of having to open an encyclopedia or go to a library, we can ask Siri what the weather is like in another country, crowdsource a good restaurant on social media, or google the latest news and politics. In addition to the speed with which we can get information, the amount of…

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is the most common motor disability in children. CP is caused by abnormal brain development that affects a child’s ability to control their muscles for mobility, vision, and speech. While there is no cure for the condition, there are medical devices specifically made for those suffering from CP that can be life-changing for them, and for those who love them. Types of…

Just as the driver of a vehicle can be held responsible for not using reasonable care on the road, a hospital or doctor can be held responsible for not using reasonable care while treating a patient. This is known as Medical Malpractice. You may know that you have the right to sue a doctor or hospital if they commit what is known as medical malpractice….

An interview with Kathleen Noonan, the chief executive officer of the Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers, in the December issue of Patient Safety offers a promising look at the potential for Complex Care to support patients and help reduce emergency room visits. The Problem In 2002, a breakfast meeting among doctors in Camden, New Jersey, led to a realization that they all shared a concern…

Picture the following scenario: you’ve had stomach pain for months and all remedies have failed. Finally, your physician orders an MRI to review detailed images of your organs in order to diagnose what ails you. You get the scan, and then you wait. And then you wait some more. Weeks pass, and you still haven’t received any information about the findings. You’re still uncomfortable, and…

New Blood Pressure Guidelines from ACC/AHA We all know the drill when you go to a doctor. A nurse or medical assistant meets you at the door, weighs you as you go back to your room, and once in the room, takes your blood pressure, pulse, and temperature. But have you ever thought about why these steps are always taken? Blood pressure, pulse, and temperature…

Even though medicine has made incredible advancements in recent decades, folklore and “old wives’ tales” are still discussed among pregnant women in the United States. Parents who are eager to learn their baby’s sex, for example, often conduct “tests” they hope will reveal the answer. Or, they may look at the pregnant woman’s symptoms and attempt to guess if she is carrying a boy or…

In a recent report published by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, or GLAAD, the number of disabled characters in popular television shows is on the rise. In fact, more disabled characters appear on television today than ever before. Of course, the percentage of disabled characters on television does not mirror the percentage of disabled individuals in real life, but many are pleased with…

At the end of 2017, the United Kingdom announced a new program it will be implementing in hopes of reducing the numbers of stillbirths and newborn brain injuries that are suffered every year. Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary, shared that the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch will begin investigating mother and baby deaths, as well as other unexplained serious injuries, that occur annually in the United…

Imagine the following scenario. You walk into your doctor’s office for an appointment. You check in at the front desk and are then called back to an examination room. You hear a knock after a few minutes, and in walks the doctor. You are prepared to greet your doctor with a handshake, but to your surprise, the doctor keeps his hands at his side, greets…

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, or HIE, occurs when a lack of oxygen causes a brain injury. The brain of a fetus or a newborn can tolerate short periods of oxygen deprivation, but if the brain is without oxygen for too long, severe and permanent damage may result. HIE is responsible for many deaths or severe disabilities in newborns. HIE has been linked to developmental delays, motor impairments,…

“If you break it, it’s yours.” We have all either seen or heard this statement. We know it means that you if break something, you are responsible to fix it or make it whole again. If you break a bowl in a china shop, you need to pay for it. If you break your neighbor’s window with a baseball, you need to fix the window….

The Eisen Law Firm’s medical malpractice lawyers foster advocacy in younger generations through a media production scholarship Cleveland, OH. — Attorneys at The Eisen Law Firm greatly value honest debate about medical malpractice and patient safety. They also greatly value today’s students, as among those students are tomorrow’s leaders, including those who will help eliminate costly, preventable medical errors. The firm encourages students to hone…