Charting for the Jury: Fine-Tune Documentation for Hospice & Home Care


Date/Time: 03/06/2023, 12:00 am

Provider: FHPCA

Map Unavailable

Protect your agency during a malpractice suit and improve patient care with documentation.

Ensure your team is prepared and understands the proper processes and potential consequences of inadequate charting.
AFTER THIS WEBINAR YOU’LL BE ABLE TO:
  • Differentiate between correcting and altering records
  • Assess a medical record correction using the SLIDE rule
  • Recognize the risks of altering a medical record
  • Explain why documenting patient telephone calls is essential
  • Recognize the gaps in report tracking that result in patient injury
  • Avoid common errors in electronic recordkeeping
  • Use the “chunk and check” technique to determine the patient’s understanding and likely follow through
  • Describe the consequences of not documenting a patient’s failure to follow through

WEBINAR DETAILS

The true importance of documentation is to improve patient care. When records are kept carefully and consistently, the treatment team provides better care. The care experience is a significant event in a patient’s life. If a malpractice suit is filed, the patient will recall the “facts” in minute detail. However, a caregiver’s recollections may be considered unsubstantiated if not properly documented – even if based on standard practice. The patient’s recollections are unsubstantiated, but patients are not obligated to keep records. Fortunately, concise recordkeeping that accurately reflects the care provided and related reasoning carry greater weight with a jury, unless the records are discredited.
In court, the patient’s attorney will often ask how many patients you care for during an average day. That number is then multiplied by the number of days, weeks, and years since the time in question. With so many patients, how can you remember this situation so well? Who did you care for after this patient? Which nurses were on duty that day? What time did you get back from lunch? These issues have nothing to do with the malpractice suit but can influence the jury to give the patient’s memory more weight. Medical records will be your best friend or worst enemy in the courtroom. If properly prepared, they are the best, and sometimes the only, defense during malpractice litigation.

THIS WEBINAR WILL BENEFIT THE FOLLOWING AGENCIES:

  • Hospice
  • Home Care

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

This informative session is designed for all personnel who document patient care, quality improvement directors, medical and nursing directors, risk managers, and leadership.

TAKE-AWAY TOOLKIT

  • Learning guide
  • Telephone call documentation log
  • Telehealth informed consent template
  • Additional resources
  • Training log
  • PDF of slides and speaker’s contact info for follow-up questions
  • Attendance certificate provided, however there are no pre-approved CEs associated with this webinar
NOTE: All materials are subject to copyright. Transmission, retransmission, or republishing of any webinar to other agencies or those not employed by your agency is prohibited. Print materials may be copied for eligible participants only.

Presented BySusan Keane Baker

Paul R. Keane

Paul R. Keane

MARTIN, MAGNUSON, MCCARTHY AND KENNEY

Register/Additional Information