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Resource Library

The Resource Library is a compendium of consent forms, risk management recommendations, sample documents, articles, and other risk management materials to promote ophthalmic patient safety and reduce liability. Contact riskmanagement@omic.com with questions.
Found 359 resources.
Jul 8, 2022 | Recommendation
OMIC offers the following tools to help ophthalmologists strengthen their diagnostic and patient management process for GCA.
Aug 11, 2022 | Article
Allegations of failure to diagnose are common in medical malpractice lawsuits against ophthalmologists, and diagnostic error is an issue of ongoing concern in the healthcare community. Some ophthalmic conditions, such as giant cell arteritis (GCA), have a short window for diagnosis and treatment. If ophthalmologists don’t appreciate the significance of the signs and symptoms presented or recognize that GCA often does not exhibit “classic” signs and symptoms, they may not follow through to confirm the diagnosis and coordinate treatment and may incur liability exposure.
Aug 16, 2022 | Recommendation
This document explores aspects of the diagnostic process and offers risk management recommendations to help ophthalmologists reach better outcomes relative to GCA.
Jun 15, 2015 | Article
In response to the high number of older patients injured in falls each year, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) developed a program called STEADI: Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries. Ophthalmologists in their offices and staff in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are not likely to perform these tests as part of an eye exam or preoperative evaluation. The information in the documents does, however, contain recommendations that can be implemented by the eye care team.
Jan 8, 2021 | Recommendation
Anticoagulation management of patients undergoing ophthalmic procedures has become increasingly challenging as the population ages and new antithrombotic agents come into use. OMIC claims data indicates that ophthalmologists who do not properly screen patients for bleeding risks and manage hemorrhage when it occurs often face malpractice lawsuits. By taking the steps discussed in this article, ophthalmologists can protect their patients and reduce the likelihood of a malpractice lawsuit.
Feb 9, 2021 | Risk Management Bulletin
OMIC claims data indicates that ophthalmologists who do not properly screen patients for bleeding risks and manage hemorrhage when it occurs often face malpractice lawsuits.
Jun 15, 2015 | Case Study
During the claims investigation, it became clear that this particular patient had many risk factors for a fall. She was 90 years old and had fallen and broken her left hip the previous year. She also had just had her eyes dilated during an ophthalmic examination.
May 6, 2024 | Recommendation
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules protect the privacy and security of health information and give patients rights to their health information.
Mar 26, 2021 | Risk Management Bulletin
In the last 2 months alone, cyberattacks against healthcare entities increased 45 percent. For example, in 2020 there were 642 cybersecurity breaches, involving 500 or more records, compared to 519 breaches in 2019, and 368 breaches in 2018.
Jun 9, 2021 | Risk Management Bulletin
When patients miss appointments, it’s imperative that your staff understand what actions to take.
Oct 12, 2024 | Article
Many ophthalmologists are so outraged and hurt when they are served with a malpractice suit that they understandably do not want to get involved.
Oct 12, 2024 | Article
Lawsuits happen to all types of ophthalmologists. Be prepared when and if it happens to you.
Feb 13, 2020 | Consent Form
Oct 2, 2020 | Sample Letter or Form
OMIC developed this Idiopathic intracranial hypertension checklist to use when evaluating patients with IIH.
Jul 16, 2014 | Article
Records can become unreliable if steps are not taken to confirm the accuracy of the information.
Aug 14, 2020 | Article
Recently, OMIC made significant payments to settle two claims alleging delay in diagnosis and treatment of acanthamoeba keratitis (AK). Defense experts in these cases noted that AK is rare, difficult to diagnose and treat, and usually leads to poor outcomes. These settlements prompted our Claims Committee to ask Risk Management to review similar lawsuits.
Mar 21, 2023 | Recommendation
Informed consent is a process that includes both a physician discussion with the patient about the risks, benefits, and alternatives AND a signature on a consent form.
Mar 9, 2022 | Article
Questions and answers from the Risk Management Hotline on informed consent.
Mar 7, 2023 | Risk Management Bulletin
Insureds sometimes ask us about the difference between the surgeon’s duty to obtain informed consent, versus the ASC’s or hospital’s duty. Essentially, these are two distinct responsibilities required by both the surgeon and the facility.
Jun 17, 2024 | Recommendation
Patients with limited English proficiency (LEP), hearing impairments, or vision issues may require communication and language assistance to ensure comprehension, proper informed consent, and legal compliance.
Feb 13, 2020 | Consent Form
Aug 4, 2020 | Recommendation
Ophthalmologists have contacted OMIC to inquire about the medicolegal consequences of “off-label” use of these drugs.
Aug 15, 2014 | Article
When plaintiffs sue for medical malpractice after eye surgery, experts review the entire process of care from diagnosis of the condition to management of postoperative problems. Sometimes, claims that initially appear to be about the outcome of a surgical procedure ultimately hinge on care provided well before the surgery. This issue of the Digest will examine allegations of negligent preoperative evaluation, specifically, medical preoperative decision-making.
Jan 8, 2024 | Recommendation
Ophthalmologists leave practices for many reasons, including illness, retirement, changes in employment status, and personal or family needs. Steps should be taken to promote continuity of care, prevent allegations of abandonment, and ensure access to the medical records.
Jul 1, 2021 | Risk Management Bulletin
Explore the high cost to patients and physicians alike when care is refused, and learn recommend ways to reduce this liability risk.
May 24, 2023 | Recommendation
Improve patient safety and reduce risk by following our preoperative guidelines for patients undergoing cataract surgery with light adjustable lenses (LAL). Post-operative LAL adjustments may be performed by optometrists provided they follow our guidelines.