Florida Cracking Down on “Pill Mills”
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi made it a priority to get rid of the state’s “pill mills”, or clinics that provide excess amounts of medication to patients. While the state has made remarkable progress in shutting down clinics that break the law, her work is far from over. As the St. Augustine Record points out,… Read more »
Posted in Medication Errors
Which Florida Hospitals Are the Safest?
The Leapfrog Group, a business-backed information group focused on patient safety, released a new analysis for Florida hospitals. Their report rated almost half of them an A on error prevention. Brandon Regional Medical Center is Leapfrog’s most-improved hospital, jumping from a D to an A in just six months. The suburban Tampa facility is part… Read more »
Posted in Medical Malpractice, Medical Negligence, Medication Errors, Misdiagnosis, Surgical Errors
Gainesville VA Hospital Pays Millions in Wrongful Death Lawsuits
The Veterans Affairs hospital in Gainesville paid and settled more wrongful death cases than almost any other medical center in Florida. The Malcom Randall VA Medical Center in Gainesville paid more than $5 million in wrongful death settlements in the decade following September 11. The Lake City medical center, operating in the same health system,… Read more »
Posted in Medical Malpractice, Medical Negligence, Medication Errors, Misdiagnosis, Surgical Errors
Does Privatized Prison Healthcare Lead to Malpractice?
When Florida privatized prison healthcare, the move was supposed to save taxpayers millions. Unfortunately, the budget cuts came with substandard care, and for many inmates, their prison term became a death sentence. Doctors are alarmed, saying that prisons are abruptly swapping out prescription pain medication for over-the-counter substitutes. One inmate’s undiagnosed lung cancer was treated… Read more »
Posted in Medical Malpractice, Medical Negligence, Medication Errors, Misdiagnosis
Could a Doctor Discontinue My Medication Too Soon?
Losing a loved one is never easy, but it is especially tragic when a preventable medical error is to blame. No matter whether that preventable error comes in the form of a failed diagnosis, improper treatment or some other action that goes beyond the bounds of proper procedure, the medical professionals who commit such acts… Read more »
Posted in Medical Malpractice, Medical Negligence, Medication Errors, Misdiagnosis
Labor Day and Medical Malpractice Safety
As you know, the Labor Day weekend is a time to relax in the company of family and friends. However, with an extended weekend and holiday, many times accidents can abound. In some instances, accidents will be unavoidable and after that it is most important that you receive competent medical care. With that thought in… Read more »
Posted in Medical Malpractice, Medical Negligence, Medication Errors, Misdiagnosis, Surgical Errors
Settlements Won’t Keep Doctors out of National Database
Oftentimes, we see that physician’s insurers are hesitant to go to trial if the physician has made glaring medical errors, such as surgical mistakes and medication errors. The insurers will typically favor an out of court settlement. However, as “Medscape.com” reports, this will not keep the physicians out of national databanks that report on malpractice… Read more »
Posted in Medical Malpractice, Medical Negligence, Medication Errors
Video Conferencing for Medical Appointments, Is It Wise?
Everyone knows of the anxiety that can come with visiting a doctor’s office. Sometimes, it can even be hard to make the time to get to a physician’s office. However, recent developments in communications technology are beginning to change some of these problems. As Health TechZone reports, “Doctor on Demand” is a new concept that… Read more »
Posted in Medical Malpractice, Medical Negligence, Medication Errors, Misdiagnosis
Will More Continuing Physician Education Help Avoid Medical Malpractice?
A good practice for assessing knowledge is testing. We have all experienced testing, from grade school to job applications that we have filled out, and even continuing education for safety courses that we might have to comply with. This seems to a be a routine step for most of us, but as The Wall Street… Read more »
Posted in Medical Malpractice, Medical Negligence, Medication Errors, Misdiagnosis
University of Florida Psychiatry Professor Relinquishes Medical License
In medical malpractice cases, it is important to remember that psychiatrists are also medical doctors and health-professionals that can be subject to malpractice laws. The Gainesville Sun recently published an article that reminds of us this and the need to properly research the credentials and disciplinary history of medical professionals that we are thinking of… Read more »
Posted in Medical Malpractice, Medical Negligence, Medication Errors
