“We have observed that delays in screenings and intervention for patients with certain common chronic conditions can contribute to claims. Now, clinicians have the opportunity to identify patients whose conditions merit priority contact, such as those with cardiac conditions, those on blood pressure medication, or those with diabetes, and request they come in for delayed screenings or checkups.

Explicitly recommending that those without medical contraindications get vaccinated not only helps slow the spread of COVID-19, but may also stop a patient from claiming that they remained unvaccinated for lack of counsel from their physician. Whether or not a practice or institution is distributing vaccines, it should communicate to patients that COVID-19 vaccines are extremely safe, remarkably effective, and vital to ending the pandemic. Invite patients who have questions about vaccines to communicate their concerns.

Since risks exist even if patients did not present for care, documenting the practice’s efforts to reach patients who have delayed care will reduce litigation risks. If a patient is considering filing a claim, a review of the patient’s medical record will be among a plaintiffs’ attorney’s first steps. Therefore, documenting patient communications is a defense against suits before they are filed.”

Richard E. Anderson is chairman and chief executive officer, The Doctors Company and TDC Group.

He shares his story and discusses his KevinMD article, “Mitigating risks from care during COVID-19.”

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