On this blog, we often write about data breaches of medical records, computer systems and electronic devices. But, intentional tampering can occur with other kinds of electronics in the health care setting, too –specifically, medical equipment. Tampering with medical equipment can result in medical errors, mistreatment and/or patient injury. This new form of medical liability […]

I just came across a really interesting article talking about empathy vs. apology and the use of the word “sorry” as it relates to both. The article was posted on a website called, Sorry Works!. I had never really thought about how the word “sorry” could be used in two different ways: 1) to express […]

While few would dispute the necessity and benefit of ICU stays, we are seeing more and more the total impact these stays are having on patients. While discharge from the ICU could (and should) be considered a success story, many are realizing that such stays often take an unseen negative toll on patients that is […]

As more and more stories are published detailing how even the largest health care systems can fall victim to data breaches, we are seeing an increase in requests for this type of coverage. Dealing with a data breach is an awful experience for everyone involved and can have significant financial, administrative and reputation-tarnishing effects. Financial […]

If you are an avid reader of our blog, you know that we have written about several studies that have shown that physicians would not recommend their career choice to others. Many physicians say that the reason that they went into medicine, to care for patients, is no longer the main duty of a physician […]

The American Pharmacists Association (APA) is coming under pressure from several human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, the ACLU and the NAACP, asking the organization to prohibit its members from participating in executions of death penalty inmates by supplying lethal injection drugs. More specifically, the groups are also calling into question the pharmacy industry’s use […]

MedPageToday.com recently had a great article talking about the use of apology in medicine. The article featured an assortment of physicians and one lawyer. And, while no one wants to anticipate a medical error, it is a good idea to think about what one would do and how one would handle it, should one occur. […]

Medical deserts is our topic today. We’ve all heard about “food deserts,” parts of the country, usually in urban areas (but not exclusively), lacking full, proper grocery stores that result in poor nutrition options for its citizens. But what about “medical deserts?” What are those? Medical deserts are becoming a growing problem, particularly in rural […]

The way the citizens (yes, citizens –not doctors) of Geel, Belgium take care of the mentally ill in this town will warm your heart and blow your mind. The small town has a long, rich history of taking care of the mentally ill. The citizens of Geel “foster” mentally ill patients in their homes. But, […]