Experts Make Or Break Your Case
Category: Uncategorized
Author: Georgina Tyburski
Posted: Friday - April 3, 2015
The client arrives to your office carrying over 1000 pages of medical records. They are emotional related to the recent loss of their loved one. He was young, the sole bread winner, the strength and back bone of this family. He was quickly taken from their family due to what appears to be a significant MEDICAL ERROR. In order to calm this potential client you agree to review the medical records and they leave your office with a huge relief off their shoulders knowing you are going to fix their hardship.
You sit there looking at this enormous pile of paper that houses the answers to the medical dilemma. You have a patient who experienced a slight episode of shortness of breath with chest pain. Due to the patient's concern the family notified fire rescue and was taken to the nearest hospital. You have one expert in mind.
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BUT, is this professional the best candidate for these records?
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When you search for a medical expert do you ask yourself these questions?
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Is the expert currently working in the clinical area that they are an expert?
Health care standards are changing every day, with Joint Commission Accreditation Hospital Organization (JCAHO), Medicare/Medicaid, Agency For Health Care Administration (AHCA), hospital specific policy and procedures to name a few are trying to improve patient care outcomes. These standards are evidence based best practices ensuring safety and quality in the clinical setting. Do the patient's REALLY receive that high quality care? If your expert is current or knowledgeable in these standards then the electronic record or poor legibility will not be overlooked identifying patient care that was sub-standard.
Are they knowledgeable in the recent standards of care for that specialty?
I.E. Familiar with hospital regulating agencies, specialty units such as cardiac, Medical Surgical, Emergency Room, Intensive Care, Pediatric services, etc. Having an expert that is current in the specialty area that the patient care occurred is imperative for a thorough case review. The expert will be able to determine if a procedure deviated from the standards, or if the minimal standards of care were provided to the patient as outlined by documentation. Are these standards documented in the patient's medical records and if so WHERE? Does your expert have the expertise to answers these questions for you?
Are they available to meet your deadlines?
Many professional hold numerous jobs outside the health care system. With the fast past busy lives we all choose, will that expert be able to prioritize to give your client the time and consideration they deserve?
Are they cost effective but yet able to provide you a thorough review?
Electronic records are voluminous and timely. When looking for the best expert take into consideration their experience with the electronic documentation.
Having a qualified expert can be cost effective for YOU the attorney and beneficial for your client. Choose a professional with the highest qualifications, current in their specialty and prepared to provide you and your client that "hands-on" expert opinion that is needed for your case.
