Giant Cell Arteritis Toolkit (2022)
Allegations of failure to diagnose are common in medical malpractice lawsuits against ophthalmologists. Some ophthalmic conditions, such as giant cell arteritis (GCA), have a short window for diagnosis and treatment. The patient then risks severe bilateral vision loss, and the treating ophthalmologist incurs liability exposure.
OMIC offers the following tools, developed by board member Ron Pelton, MD, to help ophthalmologists strengthen their diagnostic and patient management process for GCA:
Giant Cell Arteritis Checklist
· Helps prompt questions to ask patients during the work-up, and track completion of key tests and consults.
GCA Pt Info Sheet with Consent-Refusal
· Supports communication to patients of signs and symptoms to watch for and instructions for contacting the ophthalmologist. Includes a sample form to document the patient’s understanding of GCA in general and consent or refusal to proceed with treatment in general.
Observers of ophthalmic procedures
Ophthalmologists or ophthalmic surgery/laser centers at times require or desire the presence of observers during an ophthalmic procedure. Such observers include sales representatives from medical device or medical equipment manufacturing companies, visiting colleagues, or family members. The surgeon and the facility have the right to refuse such requests. If they agree to allow the observer, certain steps must be taken in order to honor the patient’s right to privacy and the physician’s and facility’s duty to protect the confidentiality of medical information, and to ensure the safety of patients, staff, and visitors. Observers of ophthalmic procedures will provide an overview of the issues associated with observers, and provide a sample consent form.
