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.
May 10, 2023
| Consent Form
Jan 25, 2018
| Consent Form
Aug 7, 2020
| Consent Form
Aug 15, 2024
| Case Study
Stress of litigation can be overwhelming. The first case settled at the insured's request because he could not bear the stress of a potential trial. The second case also settled after the insured took a medical leave due partially to the stress of litigation.
Mar 13, 2020
| Consent Form
Nov 5, 2015
| Consent Form
Jan 9, 2020
| Risk Management Bulletin
To assist in assessing patients with acute presentations, including retinal ischemia, OMIC Committee member Dr. Gaurav Shah and retina fellow Dr. Alex Boutini of Retina Consultants, Ltd (St. Louis, MO) developed an algorithm called Acute Ophthalmic Presentations.
Jun 26, 2019
| Risk Management Bulletin
We would like to draw your attention to new guidelines on the management of acute retinal ischemia that indicate an urgent need to change how ophthalmologists approach patients with this condition. We also discuss what to do if your community does not have the recommended resources.
Jun 13, 2022
| Article
Learn how to be prepared for aggressive behavior by patients and how to reduce the stress resulting from such instances.
Nov 6, 2020
| Risk Management Bulletin
The unfortunate reality is that ophthalmologists and their staff sometimes are confronted with angry, noncompliant, and even violent patients. Be aware that disruptive patients can become a distraction that leads to an increased risk of a claim.
Sep 7, 2020
| Risk Management Bulletin
OMIC recommends developing a policy on mask wearing for your clinic in anticipation of these refusals so staff will be trained on how to respond in a consistent manner.
Oct 3, 2023
| Article
You would never attempt to represent yourself in a medical malpractice lawsuit. You know that if you are faced with a malpractice complaint, your first course of action should be to call OMIC’s claims department. What you may not know is that OMIC is also here to defend you if you receive a letter of investigation from your state medical board regarding patient care you have rendered.
Jul 7, 2022
| Risk Management Bulletin
Nov 20, 2024
| Recommendation
For an informed consent discussion to be valid and appropriate, the patient must have the capacity to make medical decisions. If cognitive impairments are present , the patient's capacity to consent should be evaluated.
Aug 16, 2024
| Sample Letter or Form
Notify patients requesting their medical records that the contact lens prescription has expired.
Aug 9, 2024
| Recommendation
Medical record retention policies and procedures should be developed to comply with state and federal laws, provide patient access, ensure continuity of care, and protect against legal or regulatory actions.
Feb 13, 2020
| Consent Form
Jan 5, 2015
| Article
Informed consent laws in most states require physicians to advise patients of their condition, the proposed treatment, and the risks, benefits, and alternatives of the procedure, including no treatment. As the following claim shows, ophthalmologists and patients may have very different understandings of what information is needed.
Oct 9, 2014
| Consent Form
May 10, 2014
| Case Study
The patient history and physical exam were appropriately performed and documented; however, the insured did not take into account that the findings indicated an increased risk for bleeding and retinal detachment, which could lead to blindness in the patient’s remaining good eye.
Mar 25, 2015
| Case Study
Complaints from state health departments or medical boards should be referred to the OMIC claims department. No matter how “informal” a request for a response to a patient’s complaint may seem, these matters are serious and require legal representation in order to assure that the proper process is followed. This case also highlights the importance of the informed consent process when discussing a complex treatment plan with a patient.
Sep 22, 2015
| Article
When OMIC settles a claim or pays a judgment against an insured, policyholders often wonder if the payment will be reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB). This article will describe under what circumstances federal law requires such reporting.
Oct 10, 2024
| Article
This edition of the Digest reports the analysis of closed claims between 1/1/2009 and 12/31/2022 involving the administration of the incorrect type and concentration of gas, which are considered Never Events.
May 6, 2024
| Sample Letter or Form
Follow your established no-show/missed appointments procedure for patients that are referred to you from the ED and don't show for their appointment.
Aug 17, 2024
| Consent Form
Nov 14, 2023
| Recommendation
Patients who do not show up for appointments or follow treatment recommendations represent a significant professional liability risk for ophthalmologists. This noncompliance toolkit discusses the issues and provides sample letters.
Nov 14, 2023
| Sample Letter or Form
Give your non-compliance patient one last chance before terminating their care.
Oct 23, 2020
| Sample Letter or Form
Provide patients with advance notice if care must be terminated due to non-payment.
Oct 7, 2024
| Consent Form
Oct 7, 2024
| Consent Form
Oct 13, 2024
| Sample Protocol
Educate and protect staff members from patients who behave in a disruptive or threatening manner.
Apr 12, 2012
| Consent Form
Nov 2, 2020
| Recommendation
Regardless of the surgery setting (office, ASC, or hospital), the same standard of care applies, and the patient's safety should be the guiding principle in the decision-making process.
Jun 26, 2019
| Risk Management Bulletin
Older patients make up a significant portion of the patient population of most ophthalmologists. How should you protect yourself in the event that you do not believe that your patient understands the risks, benefits, and alternatives to surgery?
May 3, 2012
| Article
At the recent American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting in Chicago, an ethics symposium addressed the challenges of obtaining informed consent from older patients. The panelists have agreed to allow OMIC to present some of their comments and suggestions here, particularly those related to aging, decision-making capacity, surrogate decision makers, and cognitive impairment.
Jun 26, 2019
| Risk Management Bulletin
A new collection of cyber liability risk management resources recently launched online.
Aug 12, 2023
| Article
To combat cyberattacks and prevent claims, Tokio Marine HCC has agreed to provide OMIC insureds with proactive vulnerability scanning that will notify you of potential exposures that could lead to a security breach.
Jun 6, 2019
| Consent Form
Feb 20, 2016
| Sample Letter or Form
The American Academy of Ophthalmology and OMIC joined with key ophthalmic societies to develop an ophthalmic-specific surgical safety checklist.
Jan 8, 2024
| Sample Letter or Form
Invite your patients to transfer their care from the practice you are leaving to your new practice,
Nov 9, 2016
| Consent Form
Nov 9, 2016
| Consent Form
Nov 9, 2016
| Consent Form
Oct 1, 2019
| Case Study
The insured was aware that this patient was taking Plaquenil. Other complicating factors aside, the insured should have followed up with this patient on a more frequent basis and also should have performed multiple tests during each visit to rule out Plaquenil toxicity.
Jan 8, 2024
| Sample Letter or Form
Use this letter to notify patients that another ophthalmologist within the practice is available to take over their care when you leave the practice.
Aug 17, 2024
| Sample Letter or Form
Allergan recalled certain lots of OZURDEX due to findings of particulate matter that may result in mild symptoms. Use this letter to notify patients treated with OZURDEX.
May 2, 2016
| Consent Form
Aug 14, 2020
| Article
Most of the criticisms in the infectious keratitis claims discussed in the lead article focused on the physician’s diagnostic and treatment decisions, including how frequently to follow up with the patient and when to obtain cultures or refer to a corneal specialist. Our investigation showed that several plaintiffs had not complied with appointments, use of medications, and especially instructions to stop contact lens use. The noncompliance helped secure dismissals and defense verdicts.
Oct 23, 2020
| Sample Letter or Form
If you patient no longer wishes to receive care from you, acknowledge their decision, advise them of the need for continued care, and offer to transfer a copy of their medical records with this sample letter.
Dec 7, 2022
| Risk Management Bulletin
Ophthalmologists sometimes encounter situations in which a patient cannot pay their deductible, coinsurance, and/or co-pays.