William J. Duffy

Do Not Let a Deposition Ruin Your Disposition

The US legal system has a unique language and different customs. The key to surviving an encounter in the health law arena is to understand legal language, customs, and the objectives surrounding a lawsuit. A deposition usually is a health care practitioners first encounter with testifying under oath. This article reviews the objectives and tactics that are used in a lawsuit and explains some strategies for health care practitioners to use when testifying during a deposition and presenting their defense.

Applying the health care industry representative statement to your setting

AORN values the role our industry partners play in the care of our patients. Table 3 is an example of a policy on the health care representative in the OR. This article is meant to assist perioperative nurses in writing policies that enhance the role of the health care industry representative in the OR, promote collegial relationships with an important player on the team, and preserve patient safety and privacy.

Electroconvulsive Therapy: The Perioperative Process

Although ECT is not a typical procedure performed in the surgical suite, the OR does provide a safe environment for the patient. With an anesthesiologist backup and a fully equipped postanesthesia care unit available, the staff is well equipped to deal with any adverse reactions. Many people, including health professionals, have reservations about ECT. Such views are usually formed by inaccurate media portrayals of the treatment. One successful method to overcome these misunderstandings is education. Gradually, with the interdepartmental preceptorship, in-service education sessions, and interactions with patients, the OR staff working with the ECT program at St Joseph Hospital and Health Care Center grew to accept and understand the treatment. Based on our experience, ECT can be an effective, well-planned method of treatment for some psychopathological conditions.

Improving Patient Safety by Practicing in a Just Culture

n light of the results of the 2016 national election that indicate the Affordable Care Act may undergo changes, the stress from the uncertainty of our country’s future health care system and who will incur the associated costs has put added pressure on health care practitioners and raised the question of how health care organizations can remain viable while providing a safe working environment for personnel and safe care for patients. Hospital administrators and practitioners will have to navigate potential changes to the health care system. Pressure will mount to improve performance while controlling expenses. Patient insurance options may change, causing patients to seek new hospitals or physicians, which would affect revenue streams. Revenue also may be affected by the use of incentives for quality improvement initiatives and penalties for gaps in performance. These potential changes emphasize the need to control costs and improve efficiencies while also improving quality and patient satisfaction. Health care organizations and personnel must work together to weather this period of change.