APMA News - March/April 2024 - 37

coverage corner
practitioners caring for the patient to optimize
patient care.
* Determine your patient's expected outcomes
of care. Are they realistic? Note that the
patient's expectations may be different than
your expectations.
* Obtain the patient's verbal and written informed
consent prior to performing treatment or surgery.
Informed consent is an ongoing discussion,
not just a piece of paper. It is an excellent
tool to educate your patient about their care/
treatment and the possibility of a complication
or unexpected outcome and to allow them
to make an informed decision regarding the
procedure/surgery.
* In the event of a complication, disclose the
facts to the patient and family in a timely manner.
It is much better for the patient and family
to hear what happened from you rather than
hearing it from another provider, or reading
it in their medical records, etc. Conveying
your regret and empathy that a complication
occurred is appropriate. However, be familiar
with your state apology laws. Most state apology
laws only extend protection to expressions
of empathy, but do not cover statements that
could be interpreted as an admission of negligent
conduct. Recognize and acknowledge if
the complication has affected the patient and
discuss specific patient needs or changes in
treatment with the patient.
And, Of Course, Document Everything!
All of the above needs to be documented in the
patient's medical record so there is no doubt
about:
* The patient's presenting complaints/limitations
* The patient's medical, family, and social history
* Your physical exam findings
* Referrals for diagnostic testing, specialists, or any
other evaluation
* Your rationale for treatment decisions
* Patient education
* Your reevaluations of the patient
* Conversations with the patient/family
* Communication with other health-care
professionals
* The patient's progress with treatment
* Changes in the treatment plan
* Informed consent
* The outcome of treatment
Proper documentation is a critical legal record
of the care you provide to the patient and is a
valuable tool in your defense should a medical
malpractice lawsuit be brought against you.
For more risk management articles, visit
PICA's blog, " INSIGHTS " at blog.picagroup.com/
en/blog. You will find a plethora of important
resources that help podiatric medical physicians
run their practices smoothly and provide
exceptional care to their patients.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article
does not establish a standard of care, nor does
it constitute legal advice. The information is for
general informational purposes only. Readers are
encouraged to consult with their personal attorneys
for legal advice, as specific legal requirements
may vary from state to state. Links or references to
organizations, websites, or other information are
for reference use only and do not constitute the
rendering of legal, financial, or other professional
advice or recommendations. All information contained
in this article is subject to change.
APMA gratefully acknowledges the support of PICA in providing Coverage Corner
to help inform and educate readers.
APMA.ORG
apmanews
37
https://blog.picagroup.com/en/blog http://blog.picagroup.com/en/blog http://blog.picagroup.com/en/blog https://www.picagroup.com http://www.APMA.ORG
APMA News - March/April 2024

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