How to keep employees from taking you to court

A lawsuit from a current or former employee, even an unfounded one, can have a devastating effect on a medical practice. In this article, the author suggests specific strategies for preventing employee lawsuits, specifically those that often result from mistakes in a practice's recruitment materials, employee handbook, job references, and dress code. In addition, this article offers guidance for preventing sexual harassment charges, overtime disputes, and hassles with problem employees. Finally, this article suggests four must-have business forms that provide important legal protection for any medical practice.

[Legal responsibilities of anesthesia-resuscitation specialists for professional malpractice]

An experience of consulting at large medical insurance companies is indicative of that anesthesiology and resuscitation belong to most risky professions, which involve a possibility of inflicting an illegal damage on an insured citizen. The reasons of such a situation are as follows: a surface knowledge of the legal-and-normative aspects (which regulate the provision of medical care to citizens) by anesthesiologists and experts in resuscitation; a lack of profound erudition in the main fields of medicine and a comprehensive use of sophisticated medical instruments, which is a source of an extra danger to patients. The protection of both the doctor and the patients is an important issue under such conditions. Therefore, it is necessary to define the rights and obligations of anesthesiologists and experts in resuscitation, to master the normative acts regulating the standards of medical care and to obey strictly the fixed-by-law rights of patients.

The impact of United States law on medicine as a profession

The evolution of US law has had an enormous influence on medicine as a profession, and much of this legal evolution can be attributed to changes in the science and practice of medicine. This changing legal framework and its intersection with medicine has many facets. Three of the most important facets concern the evolution of the no duty-to-treat principle and the role of modern health care financing and civil rights law in altering this rule, the manner in which advances in medicine led courts and legislatures to change the standards against which professional medical liability is measured, and the basic loss of highly preferential treatment under US laws aimed at preventing anticompetitive conduct by businesses. However, despite the impact on the profession of an evolving legal system, concern over the integrity of medical professionalism continues to significantly influence both laws and lawmakers, including legislatures, regulatory agencies, and the courts.

Avoiding leasing pitfalls

Even though most physicians will only negotiate a few leases during their careers, it pays to be proficient in the language of leasing. Understanding a few key terms and concepts up front will prevent unnecessary hassles and unexpected expense. This article explains some of the most common misunderstandings in the leasing process, such as types of leases, rentable vs. usable space, escalations, and other considerations. Physicians will benefit from these practical suggestions by learning what questions to ask before signing a lease.

Country living, city income for rural practitioners by implementing the Rural Health Clinics Act

Rural medical practices have historically faced lower reimbursement than their urban counterparts. The relatively little-known Rural Health Clinics Act of 1976 permits a higher level of payment from Medicare and Medicaid through cost-based reimbursement. This article discusses the specifics and requirements of the Act and how practices can qualify and implement the change to rural health clinic participation.