Records - friend or foe?
Consider this scenario – several months after a consultation a patient complains to the GMC that you behaved inappropriately during an examination.
Where do claims occur in primary care?
You may have heard the old adage concerning the analysis of systems data: ”rubbish in, rubbish out”. This means that, no matter how modern and sophisticated your information systems may be, frustration will be the likely outcome if the information it contains is incomplete, inaccurate or inconsistent.
Communicating with patients as a new dental VT
This time of year brings all sorts of reminders of growth and change. From the season’s new green shoots and emerging bursts of colour to the approach of term-end with students starting out on their new careers and lives as professionals.
Reducing risk: when a patient refuses a chaperone
My recent blog on offering chaperones when undertaking intimate examinations sparked some discussion here over cases we have encountered.
Are you a chatty dentist?
I recently came across a complaint file about one of our dental members, emanating from a patient who had taken umbrage that, during her consultation, he had conducted an entire conversation in Spanish with his dental nurse.
Reducing risk: do you offer a chaperone?
A recent MDDUS case highlighted the importance of offering patients a chaperone for intimate examinations, regardless of the gender of patient or doctor.
Are you ticking the right boxes?
TICKING boxes and form-filling are routine tasks in busy practices, but recent research at MDDUS has revealed some surprising risks.
Reducing risk: scripting positive responses
When was the last time you listened in to reception on a busy morning?Patient experience is becoming one of the most important criteria in measuring a practice’s performance, with frontline communication being a key aspect of this.
Overheard in public...
When I was asked by the risk team at MDDUS to contribute as a guest blogger I thought it would be interesting to be involved in what sounds like a useful exercise to allow members to share experiences to help reduce their risk – and of course the risk to our patients.
Reducing risk: how risky are DNAs?
In the midst of a busy surgery, particularly one that is running behind, many clinicians describe feeling a sense of relief when a patient doesn’t turn up for their booked appointment.