Risk Management Rounds
Ambulatory Care

Overview
Ambulatory care and ambulatory surgical centers are popular for their convenience and the cost savings they offer.  Unfortunately, they also present unique liability risks as well as risks to patient safety.  This course will address five of the most common areas of risk and provide information on how to minimize them.

Objectives
Upon completion of this course, a physician should be able to:
1. Identify four factors that can jeopardize continuity of care in an ambulatory environment, and take appropriate steps to avoid them.
2. Address potential risks to patient safety brought about by the use of physician extenders.
3. Act in the best interests of yourself and your patient when performing examinations at the request of third parties.
4. Avoid risks associated with inappropriate clinic advertising campaigns.
5. Develop and implement written policies and procedures for handling situations that could put patients at risk for harm.

Target Audience
This course is designed for physicians who care for patients in an outpatient setting.
Metholodogy
This is a self-study course consisting of text and CME test.  Physicians should read the course content, answer the test questions and submit the answers for scoring.  Those who complete the course with a score of 80 percent or higher will earn a maximum of 5 AMA PRA Category 1 creditsTM.

Faculty/Author
This course was developed by Rosemary Gafner, Ed.D.  Dr. Gafner’s CV is available on request or online at https://www.medrisk.com/Medrisk/Faculty/CV/default.aspx.

CME Information
Medical Risk Management, Inc. is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing education for physicians.  Medical Risk Management, Inc.designates this continuing medical education activity for a maximum of 5 AMA PRA Category 1 creditsTM.  Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This activity is valid for release September 1, 2008 and expires on August 31, 2011.

Commercial Support

This activity was developed solely by Medical Risk Management, Inc. without any outside commercial support.

Faculty Disclosure

Rosemary Gafner, Ed.D., the author of this activity, has disclosed that she has no relevant financial interest in any commercial supporter of this activity.

James E. Schutte, Ph.D., who contributed to the content of this activity, has disclosed that he has no relevant financial interest in any commercial supporter of this activity.