Past Issues & Webflashes
The printable PDF versions of the newsletters listed below are viewable with *Adobe Acrobat Reader. The free Adobe Acrobat Reader allows you to view, navigate, and print PDF files across all major computing platforms. If you do not have Acrobat Reader loaded on your computer, click on the icon below:
2011 Physical Therapist Edition
Feature Article: Making the leap to electronic health records
If you don't use electronic health records (EHRs) in your practice now, it's likely they're coming soon. The Federal government has established a Medicare and Medicaid incentive payment program for facilities to implement or upgrade EHR technology.
Feature Article: Facing the problem of challenging behavior
Counselors want the best for their clients, and achieving that goal becomes difficult when you're faced with "challenging" behavior. Challenging behavior occurs across a wide continuum, from not following the treatment plan, to manipulation or chronic lateness to threats of violence, and much more. But no matter the behavior in the continuum, it's important for you to act appropriately and document the facts in a way that doesn't leave you open to a lawsuit.
Feature Article: Assessing safe practice in a community pharmacy
Community pharmacists have unique needs when it comes to safe practice. They deal with an ambulatory clientele, often in a setting within a noisy retail store. Output demands, in terms of filling prescriptions, are high, and space is limited.
2010 HPSO Risk Advisor
Feature Article: Create a culture of accountability
One key to providing high-quality care is starting with a culture of accountability, which can help reduce the overuse, misuse, and underuse of resources; increase use of clinical guidelines and evidence-based practice; improve patient care outcomes; and ultimately create a continuous learning organization.
Feature Article: The business of you
From a marketing and a liability perspective, it's important to maintain your professional identity when sharing office space. For example, you may rent office space from a business that supplies counseling services, but you practice independently. If the business has a public relations nightmare or is sued, you certainly don't want to become embroiled in its problems. To protect yourself, keep your professional identity and services separate from the organization.
2010 Physical Therapists Edition
Feature Article: Ready, set, go: Motivating older clients to be more active
The aging population continues to grow at a remarkable clip, as baby boomers hit age 65 and older adults live longer. Helping older adults maintain physical activity provides physical (lower blood pressure), mental (improved memory), and societal benefits (lower healthcare costs).
2009 HPSO Risk Advisor
Feature Article: Playing it Safe with Good Communication
When a patient's condition changes, you must quickly consider when, how, and what to communicate to the primary care provider. As you do, remember that these questions have not only clinical implications, but also legal implications.
Feature Article: Documentation: an important step in avoiding malpractice
A malpractice judgment can seriously harm your personal and professional life. And your file documentation may be the only thing between your word and that of a client's. Often your documentation may be the sole item of evidence in a case.
2008 HPSO Risk Advisor
2008 HPSO Risk Advisor, Vol. 2
Feature Article: What to Do When You Make a Clinical Error
You checked, you double-checked, and you even checked a third time. But despite your best efforts, you've made a clinical error. What are the necessary steps to properly document and rectify the situation?
2008 Physical Therapist Edition, Vol. 2
Feature Article: A Broader Look at Disability
What does it mean to be disabled? It's much more than the physical effects of being in a wheelchair or the inability to feed yourself. Having a disability can affect all aspects of a person's life.
2008 Pharmacist Edition, Vol. 2
Feature Article: Are You Ready for the New Anticoagulant Program Requirements?
It's not too soon to think about the New Year, which will mark the implementation date of the Joint Commission's National Patient Safety Goals for 2009. It's likely you already have January1, 2009 on your radar because hospitals, critical-access hospitals, and ambulatory, home care, and long-term care organizations are required to have an anticoagulation safety program in place by that date.
2008 Counselor Edition, Vol. 2
Feature Article: Cross-Cultural Counseling: How to be More Effective
Counselors strive to create both a trusting relationship and a comfortable environment with all their clients so that the difficult task of healing therapy can begin. Today, clients seeking counseling come from an array of backgrounds, requiring counselors to know and understand the various ways culture impacts the counseling relationship.
2008 HPSO Risk Advisor, Vol. 1 (390 KB)
2008 Physical Therapist Edition, Vol. 1 (280 KB)
2008 Pharmacist Edition, Vol. 1 (260 KB)
2008 Counselor Edition, Vol. 1 (335 KB)
2007 HPSO Risk Advisor (260 KB)
Articles include:
- Coping with Understaffing in a Public Crisis
- How to Avoid Professional Liability Claims
- Thinking about Retiring or Taking a Leave of Absence?
- Move Beyond that Mistake
- Document Defensively: Here's How
2007 Physical Therapist Edition (297 KB)
Articles include:
- Was this therapist negligent?
- Reducing your risk begins with hello
- How to Avoid Professional Liability Claims
- New Directions in Care Bring Added Risk
2007 Pharmacist Edition (288 KB)
Articles include:
- Rise to the Challenge of Medicare Part D
- Child dies from fentanyl overdose
- How to Avoid Professional Liability Claims
- Handle Controlled Substances with Care
2007 Counselor Edition (328 KB)
Articles include:
- How to Terminate the Noncompliant Client
- Did Counselor Cause Divorce?
- Do's and Don'ts of Group Therapy
Webflash Online-Only Special Edition
2006
HPSO Risk Advisor (298 KB)
Articles include:
- When and Why You Should Apologize to Patients
- Meeting the Needs of the Elderly - and Avoiding Risk
- Coping with Short-Staffing
- Firing a Subordinate Without Risking a Lawsuit
Physical
Therapist Edition (324 KB)
Articles include:
- Difficult Patients: When and How to Dismiss Them
- Meeting the Needs of the Elderly - and Avoiding Risk
- Complying with HIPAA Security Regulations
Pharmacist
Edition (335 KB)
Articles include:
- When a Pharmacist Refuses to Fill a Prescription
- Meeting the Needs of the Elderly - and Avoiding Risk
- The Risks of Drug Importation
Counselor
Edition (308 KB)
Articles include:
- Should you Counsel Patients Electronically?
- Meeting the Needs of the Elderly - and Avoiding Risk
- Monitoring the Client on Psychotropic Meds
Webflash Online-Only Special Edition
Feature Article: Preventing ADEs and avoiding liability
