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In the U. S., doctors have the ability and obligation to maintain and edit medical records as needed. But what about alterations or omissions that are done to cover up a medical mistake or protect a medical professional from liability? 

Complete and accurate medical records are a critical part of healthcare services, as they help ensure quality of care and serve as official documentation within financial and legal contexts. Despite this, unauthorized or unnecessary medical record alterations do happen. This has become increasingly apparent with the rise of digital medical records

Robotic surgical procedures have revolutionized the operating room, and nearly 700,000 surgeries are assisted by a robotic system on a yearly basis. This technology has its advantages, as it can help minimize the stress or fatigue that surgeons endure on a daily basis.

No technology is perfect, however, and robot-assisted surgeries can be risky. Certain systems are less reliable than others, and widely used products such as the da Vinci Surgical System have been linked to an alarming number of injuries caused by defects.

For this post, we’re looking at

There is never any excuse for elder abuse, whether at the hands of family members, unpaid caregivers, or professional nursing home staff.  However, understanding the reasons behind these abusive behaviors is important, as it can allow family members to spot the signs and intervene if needed.

For this post, we’re discussing caregiver abuse, particularly within nursing homes. Caregiver abuse in the US is a tragically under-reported crime, with recent stats placing 1 in 6 residents as having experienced abuse at the hands of a caregiver in a nursing home, and

While the figure varies annually, there are an average of over 80,000 medical malpractice suits filed every year, and trends show that this number is on the rise. These numbers are alarming, especially because estimates place the number of medical injuries at around one million per year.

Not every case of medical injury or unpleasant experiences at the hospital constitutes medical malpractice, however. Medical malpractice describes when a medical professional breaches his/her duty of care to a patient, either via an omission or negligent act, which leads to injury or death

Every year, millions of Americans trust nursing homes to provide a high level of care and clean facilities for their elderly loved ones. This is critical for this vulnerable population, as older adults are especially susceptible to catching an infection and getting sick. An illness on top of any pre-existing medical condition can quickly spiral out of control, and is a serious threat to any nursing home resident.

Unfortunately, not all nursing home facilities live up to this expectation, and improper sanitation and dirty facilities are the most common causes

Year after year, countless people rely on nursing homes to provide a high level of care for their elderly loved ones. Unfortunately, as we’ve explored in earlier posts, many nursing homes often fall short of these expectations. Worse yet, they frequently place their residents at risk of injury or illness. This month, we’re exploring how poor practices in nursing homes contribute to the spread of germs and infections among patients, and taking a look at just how prevalent these issues are across nursing homes in the U. S.

Infections are A

Understaffing is a significant problem in many nursing homes and other extended care facilities, particularly those that are trying to squeeze every last penny and maximize profits. Unfortunately, residents are the ones who usually pay the price, as understaffing has been shown to be the biggest cause behind neglect and abuse.

For this post, we’re looking at bedsores, a common type of nursing home injury that is both serious and totally preventable. When it comes to loved ones staying in nursing homes, the best way to protect them is to know

The opioid crisis in the U. S. continues to ravage the nation, and it shows no signs of slowing down. According to the CDC, the opioid crisis carries an economic burden of over $70 billion on an annual basis, and about 90 Americans die of an opioid overdose each day.

The opioid epidemic is a complex problem with no simple solution. However, many have shifted their attention to the source of the crisis, or rather to the bigger contributing factors behind the epidemic. Most critics point the finger at the

During our last post, we went over the main medical technology hazards that can lead to medical malpractice in 2018. This post continues that discussion by highlight additional hazards that the ERCI Institute has identified as the major emerging threats in its annually-published list.

Remember that if you need more specific or in-depth information, you can always reach out to a qualified legal nurse consultant. Do not hesitate to call us directly at Legal Nurse Consultants USA, LLC.

While medical technology advancements can offer new ways to increase length and quality of life for patients, novel approaches come with their own set of risks. When improperly used or inadequately implemented, new technologies can foster conditions that lead to medical malpractice.

The ERCI Institute tracks these risks and published an annual list where they identify the top 10 emerging health technology hazards. This post looks at some of those hazards in greater detail, providing a quick overview of each one. Being aware of these hazards can help you and your