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Reformed
Consent
Taped to the
wall just above where I dictate I have a clipping
that I once removed from a magazine that discusses
the topic, “Why am I claim
free”? The article talks about the “300 percent
rule.”
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I am 100
percent honest with my patients.
-
I practice
within the scope of my training and experience,
100 percent of the
time.
-
I try to be
100 percent compassionate when my patients are
suffering,
especially if an error on my part has added to
their pain.
Unfortunately, I do not have the
name of this prophetic author.
I
wholeheartedly believe in the 300 percent rule,
but I wonder if living by its
precepts will keep you claim free for a lifetime
of practicing medicine. It
suggests claims without merit never occur and
patients’ and attorneys’ motives
always pure. It fails to realize that claims are
settled simply to avoid the
cost of ongoing litigation and also assumes that
all medical experts swear to
“tell the whole truth” while not allowing finances
to sway their opinion.
If you
believe this, I’m sure you also believe that Bill
and Monica’s
relationship was purely platonic. Forgive me for
being so cynical but I’ve
practiced in Broward County Florida for 23 years.
As far as malpractice is
concerned, Broward County is the Falluga of
medicine.
I have
certain rules that I practice in addition to the
300 percent rule:
Patients are
given literature to review. I often direct them to
http://www.ACFAS.org
for further information.
We document
and have the patient sign that they have received
a consent form
prior to surgery. This gives them ample time to
review its contents thoroughly.
In addition
to a consent form, we have a handout that lists
potential
complications. We document that this was given to
them as well. This helps to
reinforce issues that were discussed during their
consultation.
I prefer to
not to take on complications that occurred in
other offices.
Finally,
“Respect them, but Suspect them.” I do not accept
every person as a
patient. I am able to say, “I’m not comfortable
treating you”
Send
Feedback
Jay
Lieberman, DPM
Editor - PRESENT
Director of
Podiatric Medical Education
Northwest
Medical Center
Margate,
Florida
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