Within Normal Limits is Copic's podcast that focuses on a wide variety of risk management, patient safety, and professional liability issues. It's hosted by Eric Zacharias, MD, an internal medicine doctor and Copic's Chief Medical Officer.
Here is a sampling of some recent episodes of Within Normal Limits that feature discussions with members of Copic's Patient Safety & Risk Management department:
Key Considerations Before Terminating a Patient
Our guest is Anna Barr, a patient safety and risk manager with Copic, who joins us to talk about terminating the provider-patient relationship. The discussion starts by looking at the main considerations before terminating a patient: trying to mend the relationship by using effective communication and conflict resolution skills, assessing the clinical situation, the risk of abandonment, the possibility of discrimination, and the contractual obligations that may apply. Anna then highlights key termination steps such as notifying and assisting the patient, and documentation. She also talks about the benefits of having a practice-wide policy for non-compliance or disruptive behavior that can help prevent situations that may lead to termination.
Managing Risks in the Perioperative Setting
This episode features Renee Blattman, a nurse and risk manager with Copic, who has 20 years of experience in the perioperative environment. The discussion focuses on the challenges and risks in this environment—a high-paced, high-volume, and fast-turnover setting, where there is a lot of pressure to keep the patients moving and the OR schedule tight. Renee talks about the growth and trends in ambulatory surgery centers along with the increased risks of discharge and follow-up care, as patients may need more education and support at home. She highlights how a culture of safety is essential and how this includes being proactive, collaborative, and mindful as a team.
Documentation—The Little Things That Make a Big Difference
In this episode, our guest is Heather Westermeyer, a Patient Safety and Risk Manager with COPIC, and the topic is documentation. Heather highlights the role documentation plays in continuity of care—from ensuring an accurate medical history to supporting communication among providers. She also talks about how documentation serves a key purpose in legal protection/defense in medical liability issues and the importance of articulating your thought process. In addition, the discussion touches on best practices, standardized templates and protocols, and the dangers of copying and pasting.
