Ethical Guidelines To Prevent Medical Malpractice Lawsuits

Being a medical professional inherently presents a multitude of ethical dilemmas and challenges, including a malpractice lawsuit. Many doctors fear losing their credentials and licensing over one mistake in their career.

Ways to Avoid Malpractice

Establish Transparency Immediately

Medical malpractice prevention begins at the first point of contact between physician and patient. It is crucial to establish boundaries, and outline the specific services the medical professional will and will not perform. This will ensure expectations are clear from the get-go, and will also start off the professional relationship with transparent and open communication, allowing the patient to feel more comfortable being honest and trust the physician’s treatment.

Document Visits In Detail As Soon As Possible

With each patient that walks out of the office, physicians should write a quick recap of what was discussed and the treatment provided. When a medical malpractice lawsuit first emerges, investigations often begin with recreating the incident at hand to determine whether or not negligence was a factor. The medical professional may be blind-sighted in the investigation if they do not have an accurate recollection of the appointment.

Keep the Environment Honest and Welcoming

Notably, the ways to prevent medical malpractice extend well beyond physician-patient interactions. When a physician views themself as a member of the clinical staff team in addition to being a leader, the workplace culture will allow room for suggestion and concern regarding treatment, establish a set system of checks and balances, and multiple patient touchpoints.

Understanding how to avoid medical negligence or malpractice lawsuits begins with becoming familiar with how the lawsuit process has played out in the past while also setting specific guidelines that must be followed by every medical professional in a practice. By welcoming open and honest communication between physician and patient, documenting interactions in detail, and developing a warm clinical environment, patients, clinical staff, and medical professionals will be much more likely to bring up concerns with treatment before it becomes a legal issue. Additionally, trust with colleagues will provide a medical professional with more witnesses and will increase the likelihood of tarnishing or preserving a reputation or losing a license.

Contact Our Experienced Medical Malpractice Defense Attorneys Today

At The Saade Law Firm, P.A., we understand the sensitive nature of medical malpractice lawsuits and are equipped with the research skills, knowledge of the law, and case-building strategies to defend medical professionals against claims of malpractice. Because we operate with ethics as our driving principle, building a strong case begins with physicians understanding previous cases and how to prevent medical malpractice and taking the necessary steps to defend themselves against potential litigation. Contact The Saade Law Firm, P.A. or give us a call at 786-633-1114 to learn more about our medical malpractice defense services.