Your Practice Made Perfect is a free podcast series where industry professionals discuss current issues and provide advice for today's practicing medical professionals. Our discussions cover everything from medical legislature to inspiring stories about addiction recovery. You won't want to miss an episode.
In today's digital age, your practice's online presence can be a powerful tool for growth and sustainability. In Part 1 of our two-part episode, we explore how medical practices can leverage social media to connect with patients, enhance trust, and build a strong digital footprint. Whether you're a physician, practice manager, or other healthcare professional, this episode is full of advice to help your practice thrive in the digital world.
In the fast-paced environments of healthcare where decisions are often made in a matter of seconds, the risk of medication errors increases. A patient's condition can change in the blink of an eye, which stresses the need for precision and vigilance in every aspect of care. This case features a case review that highlights the importance of thoroughly verifying medications before administration to ensure patient safety, prevent errors, and safeguard the well-being of those in our care.
As medical practices increasingly rely on digital systems to manage highly confidential information, such as patient records and communications, the need to protect sensitive data has become top priority. Cybersecurity is not just an IT issue, it’s a critical aspect in patient care. Join us for this episode that provides real-life examples of sticky cybersecurity situations that a practices have found themselves in. You will leave with practical tips and strategies to stay vigilant and safeguard your practice in the era of technology.
Navigating the courtroom can be a high-stress environment, filled with scrutiny and unexpected challenges. In a place where every word and action can sway an outcome, composure is crucial. Demonstrating self-control and poise under pressure highlights your professionalism and integrity. Join us for this episode as we talk through a Closed Claim that entails vastly different trial presentation styles from the plaintiff attorney vs. the defense attorney. This podcast reminds us that our demeanor and presentation in the courtroom can be as impactful as the strongest piece of evidence.
Medical malpractice lawsuits can have significant and complex impacts on physicians - affecting their personal, professional, and emotional well-being. There are several critical steps to ensure you are well prepared and protected during this process. To start, having a firm grasp of the legal expectations, language, and process is vital. Join us as we talk with Wendy Longmire, JD to gain a better understanding of commonly used legal terminology and take a deep dive into prepping for a deposition.
Involvement in a medical malpractice lawsuit is significant, emotional, and impactful. Physicians have a lot at stake, including professional reputation and emotional well-being. It is crucial for physicians to have support systems in place to navigate these stressful, potentially life altering, situations. Join us as we talk with a physician who gets real and raw about a medical malpractice lawsuit they went through and their firsthand experience working with SVMIC. We talk through the ways this lawsuit impacted our guest, both personally and professionally, and how they came out on the other side.
As a physician, you can go ahead and add "Leader" to your resume. Physicians are seen as leaders by those in their practice, by their patients, and by their communities. Join us in this episode as we unpack some of the struggles being a physician leader may bring in the healthcare world where much of the time we feel overworked and weary. We chat through keeping yourself motivated and far from burnout while also setting that example and looking for signs amongst your colleagues.
Join us in this episode where we talk all things telemedicine with our in-house virtual visit expert, Michael Cash. We step back a few years to talk about the effect the pandemic had on telemedicine, discuss where virtual medicine stands now, and Michael shares common questions he gets and tips to make telemedicine work for you.
Join us as we talk with long time behavioral psychiatrist Dr. Craig Clark about a broad range of information including the effects of the pandemic on behavioral health, some of the challenges we are still seeing, and even the stimulant shortage. Dr. Clark has many years in the field and several nuggets of wisdom to share that can apply to all practicing providers in today's world of medicine - don't miss this one!
Discover how shifts in the healthcare landscape could impact your practice in 2024 and beyond. Join us as we chat with national speaker, trainer and author Elizabeth Woodcock regarding emerging trends that could pose both opportunities and threats to your medical practice in the ever-changing medical world.
Why would medical malpractice data and analytics matter to a medical provider? Listen to find out! In this episode, we talk with the Vice President of Candello, Mike Paskavitz, about the use of data to ultimately help increase patient safety, and we unpack the importance of understanding that data from a providers perspective.
Join us as we review a tragic and sympathetic case that goes to trial and ends in favor of the physician. Claims attorney J. Baugh outlines some of the obstacles that come with "hindsight bias", highlights the benefits of preparation and participation on the physician's part, and concludes with the concept that sometimes there is some "good luck" needed in the trial process.
Join us for Part 2 of utilizing assessments throughout the employee's lifecycle. In this episode, we will focus on leveraging assessments to build a stronger team - using assessments to learn more about current employees. If you are interested in putting assessments to use at the hiring and onboarding phase, check out Part 1 - linked in the show notes.
The world of assessments is vast - personality assessments, skills assessments, emotional intelligence assessments, and the list goes on - but how can assessments best serve you in your medical practice? Join us as we discuss the many uses of assessments throughout the employee lifecycle, starting at the hiring phase and continuing with a part 2 to unpack the best use of assessments for current employees.
Tune in to this episode where we talk with SVMIC's Jeff Woods, Risk Education Manager, about dealing with difficult patients, giving all you can BEFORE terminating that physician/patient relationship, and what to do if that becomes your only option.
How does one end up having an appendectomy twice? Listen in as senior claims attorney J. Baugh unpacks the details of the case, explains the reasoning behind the two appendectomies, and highlights the most important takeaways from this closed claim review.
When you're balancing a thousand things between work and family - there's a chance you might just forget a kid. Tune in to this episode where we get personal with Dr. Katrina Hood, a dedicated pediatrician who is married to a physician and has raised three healthy and successful kids while seemingly juggling it all with grace. Dr. Hood shares some insight and tips for maintaining that balance when it seems like the responsibilities are never-ending, and your family and your patients both deserve your undivided attention.
The healthcare revenue cycle management is the process used by healthcare systems to track revenue from patients. For someone who is new to this process, it is important to understand the differences between managing and measuring the revenue cycle. Join us as we discuss the ins and outs of practice requests, the process of a revenue assessment and a look at the different resources SVMIC offers your practice.
Yes - employee's have lifecycles too! From the moment a position is determined necessary to the moment that employee resigns, retires or otherwise leaves the position, there are stages throughout the lifecycle of that employee's time with you. Join us as we discuss that lifecycle along with some common HR questions with our very own Steve Dickens - someone who has helped practices with this very topic for over 20 years.
Plan for the worst while expecting the best. A "disaster" can encompass a variety of situations, but in the healthcare world it's anything that can keep you from providing patient care. Join us as we dig into the importance of building a business continuity plan so that if or when a disaster strikes, your practice has a plan to keep your business moving as smoothly as possible, and you have a plan to get you through the recovery phase.
What exactly does OSHA mean to a practice and how do you implement an OSHA program? Tune in to this episode for a quick synopsis from SVMIC's own Leslie Snider on some practical tips for ensuring you are taking the necessary steps to remain OSHA compliant, and some reasonable action items for getting an OSHA program in place for your practice.
In this episode, we revisit some past content focusing on malpractice lawsuits. We will bring back some great conversations with highly qualified guests that discuss preparing yourself as a defendant, the ins and outs of depositions, and a highlight of the trial process.
No one team member matters more than the other - despite what the jobs entail. Every job within a medical practice serves an important role in keeping the practice running smoothly. In this episode, we compile past conversations with varying guests that revolve around treating your team well, leading with respect, and working well with others. Join us as we recap some of those helpful tips.
Discover, cope, and dig your way out - it can be a hamster wheel many healthcare providers find themselves in when it comes to burnout. Given the especially hectic times in today's medical world, we felt it appropriate to revisit some past conversations with physicians who both specialized in burnout, and lived through their own burnout experiences. Join us as we recap some helpful tips and advice for overcoming that long-term stress reaction that results in feeling burnt out.
In this episode, we revisit prior conversations regarding the importance of physician and patient relationships. The health of these relationships plays a key role in successful office visits and overall patient satisfaction. This episode touches upon tips to help you bring your best self to your practice! Conversations with Dr. Kevin Pho, Dr. Rebekah Bernard, and Dr. Scott Fowler are revisited.
Walk with us through prior episodes that reveal tips and insights on the future of technology in the healthcare world post-pandemic. We hear from SVMIC's Michael Cash on details about telemedicine since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, conversations from an episode on Clinical IT with Dr. Kevin Johnson, and security and privacy tips from an episode with Robbie Morris.
In today's closed claim episode, host J. Baugh sits down with Stephanie Deupree, a senior claims attorney at SVMIC. This case entails complications with a 74-year-old female who underwent a robotic Nissen fundoplication with hiatal hernia repair. Together, J. and Stephanie take us through the details in which documentation was essential in order to secure a defense verdict in a very sympathetic case.
Addiction can find its way into anyone's life. In this episode, we revisit prior conversations we've had with multiple physicians on the topic of addiction. We highlight conversations with Dr. Bob, Dr. Stephen Lloyd, and Dr. Rett Blake on the many layers of this disease.
Now more than ever, physicians need to focus on their own well-being and stress management. To guide our conversation, we speak with Dr. Charlene Dewey about best approaches and prevention advice for dealing with mental health in the midst of a pandemic.
In the final installment of our three-part series on Cybersecurity, Justin Joy sits down with host J. Baugh to chat about how best to respond to security incidents and the rules around breach notifications.
In part two of our three-part series on Cybersecurity, we join IT security expert Brian Johnson to discuss how to utilize technology to protect your systems from threats and attacks.
In part one of our three-part series on Cybersecurity, Loretta Verbeck chats with J. Baugh about Security Risk Analysis and how it applies to medical practices in today’s world.
Host J. Baugh sits down with medical malpractice attorney Katy Smith to discuss a closed claim case with some valuable lessons surrounding a patient electing to undergo a weight loss surgery without the assistance of a sedative.
J. Baugh hosts Gretchen Napier as they discuss three key strategies for tackling today’s staffing challenges.
Mary Elzey joins J. Baugh to discuss some of the best practices for creating a better patient experience by using various types of data and applying a “customer first” approach to medical practices.
J. Baugh sits down with senior claims attorney Zynthia Howse to discuss a closed claim in which key information inadvertently left out of a routine medical records request ended in a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Marketing expert Jarod Spiewak shares his digital and traditional tips and tricks for helping doctors promote and grow their practices through marketing.
Senior claims attorney Zynthia Howse joins J. Baugh to discuss a closed claim where the ball was dropped in the follow-up of a suspicious x-ray, ultimately leading to disastrous results.
Nashville attorney Wendy Longmire breaks down how the litigation process works in malpractice suits so that physicians can be better prepared.
J. Baugh sits down with SVMIC lawyer, Stephanie Deupree, to discuss a closed claim of a patient and her dispute over the consent of a hysterectomy.
Host J. Baugh sits down with Daniel VanderSteeg to discuss financial planning for professionals and business owners, specifically with advice around the new SECURE Act.
Host J. Baugh talks with VP of Medical Practice Services at SVMIC, Steve Dickens, about physician leadership, and the business side of medicine. In this deep dive, J and Steve discuss handling patient flow, how to make effective decisions, the elements that make a good leader, and more.
In this Closed Claim, Claims Attorneys Katy Smith and J. Baugh review the unfortunate tragedy of a woman’s stillborn child and the lengthy process it took to conclude the case.
Claims attorney J. Baugh sits down with a member of the Medical Practices Services department from SVMIC to discuss telemedicine, and how coverage has adapted over the years.
In this Closed Claim review, Claims Attorneys Katy Smith and J. Baugh discuss the dangers of assumptions when it comes to practicing medicine and diagnosing a case involving abdominal gynecologic surgery.
Host J. Baugh talks again with Robbie Morris about the ever-changing world of privacy and security risks. In this deep dive, J and Robbie discuss assessments, privacy & risk audits, and vulnerabilities practices may face.
Claims attorney J. Baugh sits down with Vanderbilt University Medical Center Biomedical Informatics Specialist, Kevin Johnson to talk about the fast-growing world of clinical IT, and how it can inform care.
J. Baugh sits down with Dr. Greg Hood to talk about mentoring medical students. They discuss the responsibilities and joys of guiding the next generation of medical workers and give you a few tips on being the best mentor possible.
Jean Byassee joins J. Baugh to discuss estate planning. They dive into the intricacies of creating a will and cover the basics of making sure your property makes it into the right hands after you’re gone.
J. Baugh sits down with Dr. Holly Berndt to talk about what it’s like working as an extensivist. They discuss this unique specialty and give insight into what kind of patients they see and the services they provide.
Katy Smith joins J. Baugh once again to discuss a closed claim involving poor office systems and protocols. They discuss the importance of implementing organized and effective office systems, and also why tracking office procedures could save you both time and trouble.
SVMIC attorney and host J. Baugh is joined by guest Robbie Morris to take a closer look at what it takes to keep your practice safe and collaborative in a time when cybersecurity risks have skyrocketed.
In today’s episode, Wendy Longmire joins host J. Baugh to chat through providing care for people with service animals. They cover the best practices and unique needs of these often overlooked patients.
Nicole Shields and Jill Parks join J. Baugh to discuss the crucial relationship between physicians and their practice managers. They discuss the benefits of getting to know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and how that can help provide better patient care.
In this closed claim review, Katy Smith and J. Baugh of SVMIC dive into a case with multiple defendants regarding the proper use of medical devices in the operating room.
Dr. Charles Marable joins J. Baugh to talk about Direct Primary Care, including the benefits and challenges, as well as resources for physicians considering this non-traditional practice model.
J. Baugh and John Dameron discuss financial planning for physicians, including taking inventory of what you owe and what you own, thinking about how having a partner plays into your finances, and the importance of your financial goals.
At any given point, physician burnout affects up to 50% of the physician population across all ages and specialties. Dr. Greg Jones joins J. Baugh to discuss this and other factors impacting physician health and why it’s so important for physicians to seek help when they need it.
Dr. John McGraw and J. Baugh discuss the HHS Pain Management Best Practices Task Force and its efforts to address the opioid crisis with evidence-based conclusions surrounding pain management.
These unprecedented times have all healthcare professionals looking for answers. We’ve assembled a panel of some of SVMIC’s best experts in their respective fields to cover some of the most frequently asked questions from our members. We discuss everything from Telemedicine coverage to managing a small business during this crisis. If you have a question about practicing medicine during COVID-19, there’s a good chance someone else has the same one. Tune in today and learn more.
Katy Smith and J. Baugh explore another closed claim. A 33-year-old woman with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt reported symptoms including blurred vision and headaches. After she underwent surgery, her vision continued to worsen until she was almost blind in one eye.
Charmy Shrode joins J. Baugh to dive into some of today’s malpractice insurance issues like practicing outside of your specialty, the impact the opioid crisis is having on malpractice insurance, telemedicine, and more.
Dr. Nancy Shipley sits down with J. Baugh to talk tackling fear, achieving balance, and being a Renaissance woman, which for her starts with identifying her values and making sure everything she does fits within those values.
In the third and final part of their HR discussion, Scott Hickman and J. Baugh go over the importance of honesty and performance improvement in employee reviews, onboarding and off-boarding, and wage issues.
Scott Hickman and J. Baugh continue their HR discussion, this time with a focus on employment classification and the impact on pay, comp time, and the Family Medical Leave Act as well as how to address harassment in the workplace.
Attorneys Scott Hickman and J. Baugh discuss common HR issues that come up in practices, including the importance of enlisting a professional on the front end with compliance questions, and essential elements to include in a personnel manual.
Dr. Betty-Ann Svendsen shares her own personal experience surrounding physician burnout with J. Baugh, including its very real impact on her personal life. Svendsen shares how she was able to destroy burnout by making herself a priority and putting more focus on work-life balance.
Brian Fortenberry sits down with Katy Smith and J. Baugh to dive into another closed claim. A 23-year-old male came in complaining of mysterious pain and was treated for a sprained ankle. Months later he suffers a sudden cardiac arrest.
Anne Pontius joins J. Baugh to discuss operating an in-office laboratory. Anne weighs out the pros and cons of doing your own testing in-house versus using a commercial laboratory.
SVMIC Attorneys J. Baugh and Katy Smith take a look at another closed claim in which a lack of communication led to a patient diagnosed with severe sleep apnea being given an excessive dosage of pain medication.
Brian Fortenberry chats with lawyer Ryan Wood on how things typically play out in the courtroom and some of the questionable tactics used by both sides to argue their case.
J. Baugh sits down with Katy Smith to take a close look at a closed claim of an ER Physician who was asked to re-intubate a patient. The physician, trying to follow protocol, refused and the patient died shortly after.
Dr. Richard Moses sits down with host Brian Fortenberry to discuss telemedicine and telehealth, the legalities of practicing across state lines, and how to go about doing so if you wish to work in multiple states.
Katy Smith joins J. Baugh to discuss three separate cases where critical oversights in patients’ medical records led to severe consequences, both physical and legal.
Steve Dickens joins Brian Fortenberry to discuss the importance of a strong, active leadership model and how proper governance minimizes inefficiencies and maximizes strategic decision making.
Attorneys J. Baugh and Katy Smith join Brian for another review of a closed claim that took ten years to go to trial. A 55-year-old gentleman jumped off his truck injuring his knee and ankle, resulting in pain and foot drop.
Brian Fortenberry sits down with J. Baugh and Katy Smith again to review a case of a 73-year-old with increasing back pain and a history of heart issues who wasn’t notified in time to catch a fatal heart attack.
Editor and founder of MedMalReviewer.com, Eric Funk, returns with Brian Fortenberry to review a malpractice case of a 31-year-old male who couldn’t receive a CT scan for physical reasons and got a misdiagnosis of bronchitis that resulted in a tragic outcome.
Host Brian Fortenberry chats with emergency medicine doctor Eric Funk. Eric is the editor of the website MedMalReviewer.com, where physicians can get access to actual medical malpractice cases from legal databases. They discuss the multitude of resources that can be found on Dr. Funk’s site and when those resources can come in handy.
Katy Smith and J. Baugh walk through the basics of Malpractice suit litigation. What to prepare for, the statistics around some of these suits, and how a good partner can help a physician be prepared.
This week on Your Practice Made Perfect, Brian discusses stats and what role they play in malpractice insurance coverage and medical practices, with Kathy Cartwright and Divya Parikh - vice president of Research and Education at the Medical Professional Liability Association.
J. Baugh and Katy Smith, Senior Claims Attorneys at SVMIC, sit down with Brian Fortenberry to review a malpractice case where a patient had the wrong knee operated on to repair a meniscus tear. They discuss the immediate discovery and the events that followed as a result of a wrong-site surgery.
Attorney John Ryman takes Brian Fortenberry through a closed claim case of a 72-year-old male who died two years after a primary care visit. When it was discovered that the doctor failed to follow up on a recommended CT evaluation, the patient’s estate filed a lawsuit.
On this episode, Laura Watkins observes the frightening topic of embezzlement and how it might be more common than you think. Watkins walks you through what embezzlement looks like and steps to take to ensure that your practice doesn’t fall victim.
Dr. Sasha Shillcutt has a candid conversation with Brian about her accomplished career in medicine and how she manages the workload. Through building support systems and research, she has been able to show other women physicians how to avoid the all-too-common burnout.
Rana McSpadden and Brian Fortenberry talk about the various ways to prepare your practice for everything from tornadoes to cyber attacks. McSpadden explains the use of reverse planning to figure out your goals and the even bigger disaster of putting off the planning process.
Katy Smith and J. Baugh join Brian Fortenberry this week to look at a closed claim case involving a 42-year-old John Doe with a 4+ year history of acute diverticulitis. The two discuss the patient’s trip to the ER and how a CT misreading led to the patient’s untimely death.
Dr. Scott Fowler and Brian Fortenberry examine the personal topic of professionalism in the medical industry, and a doctor’s covenant with society. Dr. Fowler explains how the practice of medicine is not a business but a calling.
Shannon Hampson joins Brian Fortenberry to discuss the exciting and potentially intimidating topic of mergers. Hampson explains why a merger may or may not make sense for your practice, as well as how to prepare for an impending merger, should there be one.
Dr. Rett Blake joins Brian Fortenberry to discuss the many angles of the opioid crisis. Dr. Blake explains abuse vs. misuse, the symptoms of addiction, the reason people are overdosing and how to prevent it.
What started as a routine visit for diabetic medication turned into a case of gangrene and a lawsuit. In this closed claim case, Brian Fortenberry, Katy Smith, and J. Baugh remind us that communication and documentation are two of the most important tools for both physicians and patients.
Dr. Missy Givens returns with host J. Baugh to continue her discussion on advancements in military medicine. Dr. Givens explores the latest innovative methods for prehospital care such as stabilizing, resuscitating, and treating pain in patients.
Dr. Missy Givens joins Brian Fortenberry to discuss how the military is innovating modern medicine and emergency response methods to reduce mortality rates in the field, and how these methods carry over to civilian care.
Katy Smith joins J. Baugh for another closed claim case. The two discuss a practice known in the industry as “cookbook medicine” and how this practice led to a patient’s death and a lawsuit.
Dr. Rebekah Bernard rejoins the podcast to continue discussing her book The Rock Star Doctors Guide: Change Your Thinking, Improve Your Life. She discusses the three A’s of patient care, as well as some key points from the book on how to be a rockstar physician for your patients.
Dr. Rebekah Bernard, who literally wrote the book on physician burnout, joins host Brian Fortenberry to discuss a few key points from her book, "The Rock Star Doctors Guide: Change Your Thinking, Improve Your Life".
There is no doubt that social media can make or break businesses and individuals alike. Luckily, Dr. Katrina Hood is here to offer some pointers on things to be aware of and how to keep yourself out of trouble.
Establishing a business is one thing. Creating a healthy work environment is completely different. On this episode, Chris McCarty returns to discuss the importance of understanding employment laws and best HR practices to keep a business in check.
Chris McCarty joins host Brian Fortenberry to shed light on the cybersecurity risks that face your business in today’s digital age. Chris gives advice on navigating the waters of disgruntled ex-employees, hacked email accounts, and hiring techies.
Esteemed MGMA members Sarah Ligon and Steve Dickens join host Brian Fortenberry to discuss setting goals for your practice. Sarah and Steve share some tips on how to prepare for goal-setting retreats and which questions to ask to ensure success.
Brian Fortenberry explores the closed claim case of a patient who, through miscommunication on various levels, died from a dosage error. Licensed CPA and attorney J. Baugh joins to discuss where the fault may lie and how to avoid issues like this in the future.
Dr. Jill Huntley-Taylor and Brian Fortenberry break down the process of preparing medical professionals for trial and eliminating surprises while going through the process. Huntley-Taylor discusses how to gather information, what jurors expect from the medical professional, and what kind of attitude to bring into the courtroom.
Dr. Greg Mancini joins Brian Fortenberry to discuss opioids and narcotics and what could have caused the crisis. Mancini discusses the complications and side effects of the drug, as well as alternatives the medical community could utilize to control the issue without compromising patient care.
Dr. Kevin Pho joins the podcast to discuss the pros and cons that social media has on the healthcare industry, clinician rating websites, and the importance of a physician’s online presence. Social media gives physicians the power to reach their patients directly, but more than this, it puts the power of knowledge at the patient’s fingertips.
Host Brian Fortenberry and Judy Musgrove, Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communications, discuss SVMIC’s brand new resource platform, Vantage. With Vantage, SVMIC brings their online service up to the same level of their personal service. This portal has everything that SVMIC offers online, for both policyholders and practice managers.
In this closed claim case, a woman with a family history of breast cancer was closely monitored for 6 years. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, the patient filed a lawsuit against her general surgeon. She alleged that her cancer should have been diagnosed at least eight months sooner. Learn how, in this case, it proves that even if all the right steps are taken, one is never immune to a lawsuit.
Dr. Dike Drummond of The Happy MD speaks with Brian Fortenberry about physician burnout. Understanding burnout is not that simple, and Dr. Drummond helps doctors navigate circumstances that can lead to this state. He shares some practical tips on prevention and how to get out of the rut.
Host Brian Fortenberry and guest Jackie Boswell discuss the ins and outs of Relative Value Units (RVUs), how they work, and how they're calculated. They discuss how important it is for physicians to be educated when it comes to RVUs, especially for compensation purposes. RVUs have a wider reach as well, being used to evaluate specialties, compare physicians, and assess practices across the nation.
Along with host Brian Fortenberry, Dr. Stephen Loyd discusses his intimate struggle with opioid addiction. For three years, Dr. Loyd was addicted to painkillers while working as a physician. In one hand, he had everything anyone would want in life. In the other, a handful of pills. He discusses how finding the Tennessee Medical Foundation helped get him out of addiction.
With host Brian Fortenberry, SVMIC Vice President of Corporate and Legal Sherie Edwards, and Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Tennessee Medical Association Yarnell Beaty, discuss medical legislation. When physicians get involved on Capitol Hill, it can really make a difference and turn the tide in legislation. They talk about how important it is to contribute to campaigns, get involved at the grassroots level, and establish relationships with elected officials so that physicians have a voice in what laws are being passed. Although the legislation discussed in this podcast episode was pending in 2018, the information regarding how you can become involved in the legislative process and why it is important is still valid today.
When pregnant Megan was admitted to the hospital with pain at 32 weeks, the staff failed to recognize fetal distress. This resulted in a C-section performed three hours too late and the infant suffering from severe neurological damage. Brian Fortenberry and attorney Alisa Wamble discuss this closed claim case and how tunnel vision created this sad situation.
Brian Fortenberry and Dr. Walter Fitzgerald discuss opioids, prescriptions, and all issues that come with it. Dr. Fitzgerald brings his experience as both an attorney and a pharmacist to the discussion, covering everything from new laws regarding prescriptions to safely disposing of extra pills.
Michael Burcham, CEO of Narus Health, talks with Brian Fortenberry about care management. Michael discusses finding the gaps between payer, physician, patient, and hospital, improving those gaps, and giving stakeholders a better experience. He also discusses changing the experience that people have, so that instead of healthcare happening to them, it works for them.
Dan Himmelberg, SVMIC Assistant Vice President of Claims, and Brian Fortenberry discuss a closed claim in which a patient suffered an aneurysm after having an appendectomy. The patient's surgeon, who had been an expert witness in other cases, was taken to court himself, where he defended his care of the patient during over 8 years of legal proceedings.
In this closed claim review, a hike up a steep ravine sent William to the hospital with a “weird feeling” in his back. After his symptoms subsided and he was discharged, he passed away of an aortic dissection. Host Brian Fortenberry and SVMIC attorney Judy Reneau discuss the doctor’s defense and how William's symptoms did not lead to the underlying problem.
Surgeon Dr. Bruce Ramshaw and Brian Fortenberry discuss problems in healthcare and how new models for healthcare based on systems and data science could be applied. Dr. Ramshaw’s goal is to learn the real structural reasons that the global healthcare system is failing and what can be done to fix it.
Brian Fortenberry and attorney Wendy Longmire dig into the legal services that SVMIC provides. They discuss depositions, how to properly prepare physicians for testimony, and how mutually beneficial it is for a defendant to really become engaged in their own defense.
Host Brian Fortenberry and attorney Jamie Wyatt discuss a closed claim case in which everyone in an operating room, except for the surgeon, was sued due to the complications experienced by the patient post-surgery. They explore this "no talking policy" implemented by the surgeon, and how it created a hostile work environment and a very adverse outcome.
Attorney Tim Behan and Brian Fortenberry discuss how the depersonalization and dissociation from a well-known patient can help provide more effective treatment. In this closed claim review, a 40-year-old woman with drug-seeking behavior is left with neurological damage due to assumptions made about her condition.
Brian Fortenberry talks to Dr. Stephanie Vanterpool, Director of Comprehensive Pain Services at University of Tennessee Medical Center and Medical Director of the University Center for Pain Management. They discuss targeted pain treatment options and how pain is a symptom of an underlying condition.
Jim Smith, with 36 years of experience in the medical professional liability insurance business, helps us understand medical insurance and what it means to be a part of a mutual insurance company. Join host Brian Fortenberry as they break down MPL and all that goes with it.
In this closed claim case, attorney Stephanie Deupree and host Brian Fortenberry examine a very tragic outcome that began with a man's fall from a six-foot ladder while trying to complete a home improvement project. A medication unfamiliar to the physicians prescribed for pain relief resulted in the man's death.
Dr. John Lytle, former President of the Arkansas Orthopaedic Society, discusses the importance of a physician's involvement in associations, membership groups, and committees. He talks to host Brian Fortenberry about being a part of the local community as well as taking care of other people in your profession.
Join host Brian Fortenberry and Dr. Elise Schriver as they talk about pulmonary hypertension, its five clinical classes, and how it is being reported more and more on echocardiograms and CT scans. Dr. Schriver is the Associate Clinical Professor at the Graduate School of Medicine at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and the Director of the UT Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic in Knoxville.
In this closed claim review, Ken Rucker, Vice President of Claims for SVMIC, and host Brian Fortenberry discuss how easy it is to let the daily workload negatively impact the quality of medical documentation. Details forgotten can be hard to defend, especially when Dr. Andrew’s early discharge led to a patient's death one week later.
A lifelong medical practice executive, Tom Stearns shares the wisdom he’s learned over the years as a manager and leader. With host Brian Fortenberry, they explore the role of a manager in a medical practice and how they should be standing behind their employees in a role of support, instead of cracking the whip.
Brian Fortenberry details and discusses a closed claim case with Claims Attorney, Zynthia Howse. Together, they review the fallout from a female infant’s routine “Well Baby” visit after the care providers failed to administer a vaccination and did not accurately document it in the medical charts.
When treating someone at the end of their life, a doctor has more to consider than curing or healing a patient. General Internist, Dr. Daniel Ely, chats with Brian Fortenberry about what goes into palliative care, advanced care planning, and comfort at the end of life.
In this week’s episode, SVMIC employee Jackie Boswell details and defines what makes a good managed care contract. Ms. Boswell also offers physicians advice on how to negotiate a more beneficial contract and what process to take to ensure a better partnership within a practice.
Host Brian Fortenberry chats with Pain Medicine Physician, Dr. Rhett Blake about the newer guidelines that relate to doctors providing pain treatment. Together, they cover the nationwide Opioid epidemic, where it’s rampant, and what’s been done at the national and local level.
Host Brian Fortenberry and experienced claims attorney and risk reduction expert, Shelly Weatherly, talk about how to stay out of legal hot water amidst the stress and responsibility of patient care combined with the possibility of a lawsuit. Hear how clear communication and investing in the doctor-patient relationship can make all the difference.
This week, we review a closed case against a doctor who failed to give a timely diagnosis and treat Mary’s retroperitoneal hemorrhage following a cardiac catheterization. This led to a series of unfortunate medical complications. Senior Claims Attorney Tim Rector talks about this complicated case with Brian Fortenberry.
Brian Fortenberry talks to Sheri Smith to learn more about setting up a private practice like a business. They discuss how SVMIC can offer recommendations on vendors and professionals, as well as providing a practice startup toolkit that includes checklists and medical records retention details for each state.
Charmy Shrode, VP of Underwriting, continues to talk with Brian Fortenberry about policies for medical liability coverage. They discuss how far a policy can extend (from you as an individual to your solely-owned practice) and how some plaintiff attorneys prefer to sue an entire entity rather than an individual.
Join Brian Fortenberry as he talks to VP of Underwriting, Charmy Shrode, about the intricacies of policy documents, information, and coverage. A policy is a contract between the insured and the insurer—don’t be guilty of putting it away in a drawer without reading it first.
As technology becomes even more integrated with healthcare and care management, security becomes a larger threat to medical professionals. In this episode, Kari Stern from NAS talks with host Brian Fortenberry about claims, coverage, and data management practices within Cybersecurity.
SVMIC Claims Attorney, J. Baugh discusses Eliza James’ malpractice case with Brian Fortenberry. Baugh thoroughly reviews the complete lack of continuity of care, including the multiple mistakes made by her providers, errors with her medical charts and labs, and overall poor communication with the staff which ultimately led to her death.
When practicing medicine, a doctor can be employed by a hospital system or large group, or they can run their own private practice. In this week's episode, Board-certified orthopedic physician, John Lytle chats with Brian about the particulars that come with running a private practice vs. being in a large hospital group.
This week, we review a closed claim case involving 18-year-old Samantha Smith who suffered complications from a breast reduction surgery. SVMIC Vice President of Claims, Ken Rucker, walks us through the ins-and-outs of Samantha's multiple procedures and the resulting deformities from infection.
Steve Dickens is SVMIC's Medical Practice Services expert who consults doctors on the business side of practices. In this episode, he discusses recommendations on contract negotiations, interactions with colleagues, and thinking through exit strategies as it relates to employment agreements.
In this week’s episode, we look at developments with pain management and pain medication with a specialist and medical expert. Dr. Blake discusses the Opioid epidemic as a national crisis, better and more appropriate treatments, and how physicians should approach patients struggling with pain.
Host Brian Fortenberry chats with SVMIC attorney Katy Smith about the closed claim where a toddler receives treatment due to a tick bite. Together, they review the communication issues between physicians, the lack of continuity in care, and the misdiagnosis that led to the patient dying from a related infection.
In this week’s episode, host Brian Fortenberry interviews former nurse and current malpractice attorney, Stephanie Deupree about a closed claim case. Ms. Deupree details the medical treatment and experience of a 16 year old football player who had their leg amputated after a severe injury on the field.
Brian Fortenberry chats with SVMIC Attorney Jim Howell about another Closed Claim Case. They discuss the liabilities and the details of a bowel perforation that was initially missed in the doctor-ordered CT scans and led to the patient’s death.
In Part 2 of our 2 part series, we continue our chat with HIPAA expert, Loretta Duncan. Brian asks about the ins-and-outs of HIPAA’s requirements for security with electronic information.
In this week’s episode we take a deep dive into the world of HIPAA compliance with Loretta Duncan of SVMIC. In Part 1 of our 2 part series, we cover rules, requirements, and restrictions as it relates to protecting privacy with health information.
When joining a group practice, there is more to consider than salary and location. In this episode, Dr. Matt Perkins and host, Brian Fortenberry chat about what to think through before you partner up.
Brian Fortenberry details the Henry Jackson case and discusses with Claims Attorney, J. Baugh. Together, they review Mr. Jackson’s sinus issues and the mishandling of his care through a faulty appointment tracking system with his ENT.
In this episode, Brian Fortenberry chats with Dr. Bob Berkompas. As a Primary Care Physician, Dr. Berkompas shares how he balances a hectic work life with three children, medical committees, professional associations, and being active in his church, all while still keeping his promise to his family.
Brian Fortenberry interviews Charmy Shrode, VP of Underwriting at SVMIC. Ms. Shrode explains the key differences between traditional insurance policies and malpractice insurance, the legal differences from state-to-state, and why medical professionals should prepare for the worse.
In this powerful episode, Dr. Bob shares his personal story with Brian. Dr. Bob has struggled with alcohol and drug addictions since his early youth all the way through medical school and well into his practice.
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