Recent Blog Posts
CMS Penalizes Hospitals For Negligence With High Readmission Rates
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) provides medical coverage to more than 100 million people through its different public health programs, so it keeps close tabs on facilities that receive funding. A key aspect of CMS efforts is eliminating fraud, abuse, and inefficiencies in serving patients. The agency will take decisive action… Read More »
September Was Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month
The thyroid is a vital gland for purposes of hormonal balance within the human body, playing a key role in a person’s metabolism, development, and regulation of bodily functions. Its importance is recognized every year during Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month, which will be a month-long celebration this September 2022. The Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association… Read More »
Heart Health Numbers For Those At Risk Of Heart Attack
Though there are certainly concerns as individuals get older, heart health is important at any age. Statistics compiled by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveal high rates of coronary illness and related conditions, pointing out that heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women across the… Read More »
How Can Cervical Incompetence Lead To Birth Injuries?
A woman’s cervix plays multiple, important roles during pregnancy. It initially serves as support for the growing fetus, and then gradually opens late-term to accommodate the infant moving through the birth canal. Cervical insufficiency is a medical condition that occurs when there are weaknesses or structural defects that affect these functions. According to the… Read More »
How Can A UTI Lead To Sepsis?
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common reasons that individuals seek medical care, and the vast majority of patients will fully recover with proper antibiotics. However, if left untreated, a UTI could expand and cause infection in the kidneys. The human body counters the contamination with an immune response, but it… Read More »
Wound Separation After Surgery Can Be Life-Threatening
Though the primary focus of any procedure is treatment or prevention of a medical condition, one of the most critical duties of the surgical team is ensuring proper wound healing. The failure to manage the hygiene, safety, and security of the incision can lead to separation, putting the patient at risk of serious harm…. Read More »
When Is A Florida Hospital Liable For Independent Contractor Physicians?
You might not think too much about the working relationship between your treating physician and the hospital where you received care. However, there could be important distinctions and the question will likely come up more often in the coming years. Statistics reveal that around half of doctors in all specialty areas are in private… Read More »
Top Mistakes By Florida Neurosurgeons
Any Florida health care provider can make a mistake, but there are some specialty areas where allegations of negligence occur frequently. Neurosurgery is one of the most complicated, delicate procedures in all of medicine because it involves the intricate workings of the brain. A report from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reveals that… Read More »
Warning Signs Of Suicidal Tendencies
There is a wealth of information about suicide available online, but one common theme you may note while reviewing these resources is their agreement that suicide is preventable. Unfortunately, these tragedies still occur with alarming frequency. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that almost 46,000 people die by suicide every… Read More »
Tests To Expect When Florida Health Care Providers Suspect Stroke
A stroke occurs when blood supply to the brain is disrupted by a clot or tear in a blood vessel, in turn preventing the flow of essential oxygen. This condition is the leading cause of serious long-term disability in the US according to the Stroke Awareness Foundation, which reports that there are around 4.69… Read More »
Top 10 Causes Of Patient Harm In The US: First Half 2022
Ever since 2007, the Joint Commission has been publishing a report on so-called “sentinel events” in health care. These are the medical errors that result in fatalities, permanent disability, or severe temporary harm. This independent, non-profit organization accredits more than 22,000 health care facilities in the US, and it recently published an article on… Read More »
Who Is Liable For Nursing Errors In Florida?
Nurses play an important role with patient care in hospitals and clinical settings, so questions often arise about liability and potential parties in medical malpractice claims. Under Florida’s Nurse Practice Act, there are different standards of care depending on the license the nursing professional holds and related details. Generally, the applicable standard is based… Read More »
Florida Pharmacy Enters Deferred Prosecution Agreement, Pays $1.31 Million To Settle False Claims Act Case
On July 13th, 2022, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) announced deferred prosecution agreement in the False Claims Act case involving Solera Specialty Pharmacy—a pharmacy with a main location in Pompano Beach, Florida. According to the DOJ, Solera Specialty Pharmacy improperly billed Medicare for a high-priced prescription drug called Evzio. As part of… Read More »
What Does Stage 0 Mean For Breast Cancer?
Many people are familiar with the higher stages when it comes to understanding the progression of cancer, so it might be surprising to learn that there is actually a Stage 0 for breast cancer. The National Breast Cancer Foundation explains that this level is also termed “carcinoma in situ” for the fact that the… Read More »
Key Factors Affecting Damages in Florida Nursing Error Cases
Nurses are charged with a wide array of tasks in the hospital, clinical, and assisted living environments, so the potential for errors is cause for concern. Researchers have identified the seven most common mistakes made by registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), certified nursing assistants (CNAs), and many other nurse professionals. They primarily… Read More »