The onset of COVID-19 dramatically ushered in a new chapter of healthcare delivery led by telemedicine, the extreme outlier of healthcare delivery prior to the pandemic has now become the standard or status quo for both regional and national healthcare providers.
“Consumers embraced telemedicine during the pandemic, and have come to expect it as a convenient healthcare delivery option,” said Judy Klein, risk management manager at Coverys, a medical malpractice insurance provider. “As telemedicine becomes more prevalent, so too does the risk of liability.”
Klein continued, “Missing critical information, like a subtle wheeze while the patient breathes, a slight hand tremor, an unsteady gait while entering the exam room, may result in adverse outcomes for patients that can lead to lawsuits for claims like those expected for in-person care, such as incorrect diagnosis, inadequate assessment, testing, or procedures, and failure to ensure that the patient understood the diagnosis, recommended treatment or need for follow-up.”
The best practices in observing coverage, compliance and communication for telemedicine are still being developed, but many have already proven their worth in the fast-changing industry. All medical practices should be constantly searching for professional development opportunities about telemedicine, as well as conventions, conferences and webinars to learn more about local laws and industry best practices.
Best practices in telemedicine include:
● Creating a process to know when an in-person appointment or exam is needed
● Make sure cyber liability insurance is high-quality and up-to-date
● Develop standard statistics to show efficiency using telemedicine services
● Observing all state regulations, get documented clarity and responses on ambiguous laws and regulations
● Know if you are operating in a state with a patient compensation fund
“Since telemedicine is new, we are still learning a lot about the pitfalls of the technology and its techniques,” said Gina Harris, regional vice president of ProAssurance. “Consider the technology being used and closely evaluate technology safeguards to minimize risk and maximize operational efficiency while providing the best care possible to your patients.”
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