Denise Carter, MSN RN CNML on LinkedIn: Kentucky First State to Decriminalize Medical Errors (2024)

I often refer to the Mafia-like code of silence in hospital systems because I have experienced dangerous medical coverups where patients were harmed and died. I nearly lost my life because I spoke up in advocacy for patient safety - the retaliation was fierce, and no one cared. Throughout my career, I increasingly became skeptical of the state's BORM as I have seen more than a few physicians get away with unsafe and deadly practices and physician 'leaders' provided cover.Documentation was deleted, reports were falsified, and physicians produced false testimony to protect "The Brotherhood."Just imagine the coverups today and the leniency of the state's BORM given clinical staffing shortages; this is no different than many of the and the Joint Commission weak actions. 'See something, say something' is rarely applied to medicine; it can cost you your job, career, or life.Just because a physician does not have a documented malpractice case or a report to the BORM does not mean they are safe physicians; the coverup for bad medicine is as dangerous as poor medicine delivered by an unsafe physician. The coverup and retaliation in my career came from Clinical Chairs, CMOs, Physician CEOs, Division Chiefs, Medical Directors, and attending physicians who were part of the Mob. "A startling report by the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen that state medical boards are often more inclined "to protect the livelihood of questionable physicians" than to police the ranks for dangerous misconduct.Indeed, the organization's study of 3 years of data from the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) found that "many, if not most, state medical boards are doing a dangerously lax job in enforcing their states' medical practice acts."The analysis by its Ph.D. and MD authors found that barely half of the more than 16,000 physicians reported for allegedly dangerous misdeeds ever had as much as a reprimand reported by a state licensing board. And barely half of the 888 doctors judged by peers to be an immediate threat to health or safety suffered any licensure action taken against them.Worst of all, of the nearly 10,000 physicians who have had five or more malpractice-payment reports lodged against them – thankfully, a mere 1% of all docs – three-quarters have experienced no licensure action whatsoever.The most discouraging outcome of whistleblowing is how few complaints actually reach those who matter most – patients. Too often, doctors buy their way out of trouble. Given the woeful lack of adequate oversight and enforcement, who wants to be a whistleblower? What healthcare professional wishes to risk a lawsuit, ostracism by colleagues, irreparable career damage, and crushing disappointment in seeing the guilty skate free or nearly free?If everyone is busy looking out for himself or herself, who's looking out for the patient?" 💔 #patientadvocacy #moralinjury #whistleblower #silencing

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After years of experience in registration, I’ve witnessed firsthand the challenges posed by poorly designed processes. May this solution bring the much-needed relief to bereaved families and those who deliver it to collaborate for smooth and seamless introduction #registrars#bereavedfamilies#letstalkaboutdeath#medicalexaminers#coroners

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Well-done Kentucky! The ability to learn from errors requires transparency and availability of data without fear of litigation, thus enabling a ability to prevent harm in the future. #patientsafety #qualityimprovement #harmprevention #learningorganization

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Have you ever had the conversation whether you want to be hooked up to life support if something ever happens? Have you ever thought about how much medical intervention you want at the end? A POLST (Physicians Order for Life Sustaining Treatment) can help navigate these conversations and direct all medical staff to your wishes. The following article discusses the difference between a POLST and DNR. https://lnkd.in/eHnGsf23

Kentucky is setting an example for other states by decriminalizing medical errors. This is a crucial issue that needs to be addressed, and Kentucky lawmakers are leading the way. Kudos to them for recognizing the importance of this matter. #Kentucky #MedicalErrors #Decriminalization

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Excellent article by Donnie Woodyard, sharing his perspectives and teaching points from the trial of the paramedics in the Elijah McClain case. Important lessons for all of us.

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Patient Safe Handling Laws address the need for accessible medical equipment that saves nurses’ backs and reduces health risk for patients, but only 11 states have such laws. Together with DOJ enforcement of ADA guidelines covering Medical Diagnostic Equipment, these laws can bring way overdue change. But it won’t happen unless we make it happen. Read more from Tim Gilmer. https://bit.ly/3SuCE7D#TodaysCare

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Tomorrow is the day for our "Continous Therapy Mode Review and Best Practices" CURLIN Catch-Up course. Cindy Sadler, RN, is hosting this course on February 15th at 10:00 AM MT. This quick course will give you and your team a refresher on the basics of using continuous mode and a demonstration of how to program the therapy using the CURLIN 6000. Additionally, we will discuss the robust safety features of the CURLIN system, and how to apply current best practices for using continuous mode to infuse medications and fluids.https://lnkd.in/gkYiBR66

Louisiana has become the 12th US state to pass surgical smoke evacuation legislation! Surgical smoke occurs during surgery and prolonged exposure can lead to a number of health complications for healthcare professionals around the world, which is why legislation must be created to protect those most vulnerable.We are delighted that twelve states have joined the fight against surgical smoke - but legislation must be universal to ensure appropriate safeguards are enforced worldwide. Follow us today and join our mission to ensure legislative change protects those at risk. Together, we can advocate for comprehensive smoke evacuation measures that protect the health of our medical staff and create a safer surgical environment.#HealthcareAdvocacy #SurgicalSafety #LegislativeChangeEORNAESNO, European Specialist Nurses OrganisationEuropean Medical Association (EMA). Medical Association for Doctors and Medical Industry Personnel.European Union of Private Hospitals (UEHP)Association UNAIBODEMarianne VindDennis RadtkeStrykerMay KaramAdriano FriganovićConstance HeldLucía F.

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After the non-compete ban and now this, healthcare seems to be inching toward sanity.Medical professionals often are pressured to not admit to mistakes - because often physicians and nurses are punished (demotions, threat of loss of license/board) for admitting to possible errors.And many times the errors are not even egregious - they are “hindsight” errors where mistakes are discovered afterwards, with some possibility the error MAY have contributed to certain outcome. American legal system needs an overhaul if we corner the blame to physicians and nurses just because we at the front lines. This seems like a promising step in the right direction.

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