How to manage more pressure injury claims in-house

Med Law Advisory works with our healthcare partners to manage more pressure injury claims in-house. Our early assessments help quickly value the claim and proactively identify areas to improve the delivery of care upstream, reducing incidents of pressure injuries within the health system, improving patient outcomes, and providing savings on both litigation and health care costs.

Pressure injuries acquired in healthcare settings are among the most common types of preventable injury, yet they remain a persistent and costly problem for providers. 

This month, officials and healthcare workers worldwide are observing the 2021 World Wide Pressure Injury Day on Nov. 18. The day’s purpose is to spotlight pressure injury prevention and educate the public about pressure injuries. 

According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, more than 2.5 million people in the U.S. develop pressure injuries each year. Of that, approximately 60,000 deaths a year are directly attributed to pressure injuries. The AHRQ estimates the cost of these injuries between $9.1 to $11.6 billion each year. 

Pressure injuries are also a major source of litigation. According to the AHRQ, more than 17,000 lawsuits are related to pressure injuries annually. It’s the second-most common claim after wrongful death, and pressure injury claims are more numerous than falls or emotional distress claims. Additionally, settlement amounts for pressure injuries are on the rise in many markets. 

Arguably, hospitals are the most frequently targeted object of healthcare litigation. As the public’s utilization of healthcare increased exponentially during the pandemic, the issue of pressure injuries has become even more acute in this setting.

Med Law Advisory works with our healthcare partners to manage more medical malpractice claims involving pressure injuries in-house. Our unique partnership helps identify areas to improve the delivery of care upstream, reducing incidents of pressure injuries within the health system, providing savings on both litigation and health care costs.

On the claim support side, our consulting nurse experts provide early assessments of pressure injury matters, enabling our health system clients to quickly value and aggressively manage claims based on merit. Our team brings unique medical-legal expertise that is highly cost-effective and cost-saving in an era where quality of care and financial stewardship are critical priorities.

In instances where it is necessary to engage outside counsel in a pressure injury claim, the legal team can hit the ground running with the early work completed by Med Law, including indexed medical records and reports, an initial opinion of liability, and areas of strategic focus. 

Med Law also provides executive consulting services to healthcare organizations. Through partnering with Med Law to manage litigation, healthcare systems can leverage the work already being completed by our consulting nurse experts to proactively identify and respond to areas of concern and integrate insights with their quality and patient safety agenda.

Med Law has the expertise to capture vital information derived from extensive data collection, discern trends, identify system defects, and advise strategic options. Additionally, our staff can partner with yours to provide staff education on litigation insights to improve patient care and defensive documentation techniques to help mitigate litigation risk. 

Contact us for more information on how we can help you respond to pressure injury-based medical malpractice claims and partner with your organization to reduce incidents of pressure injuries.

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