This book explores a rapidly growing area of discussion in the health care industry, disruptive behavior in medical providers. The presence of disruptive behavior adversely impacts the providers of all disciplines: paraprofessional personnel, nurses, physicians and administrators. But more importantly, there may be a greater detrimental effect on quality and patient safety. This has led to mandated regulatory requirements that assist healthcare institutions in developing programs to address the problem. The book presents an evidence-based analysis of the disruptive provider behavior that defines the incidence, demographics, and profile of the behavior; discusses the specialties and work locations predisposed, as well as the interface with residents and nurses. The importance of patient safety, economic, and legal issues are addressed by a comprehensive, management strategy to effect positive, sustainable culture change in healthcare.

On any given day in the emergency department, the chance of confronting a medical-legal dilemma is significant. Emergency medicine and critical care practitioners may have to deal with malpractice claims, informed consent, protection of minors, resuscitation, operational issues and legal compliance requirements frequently. Substantial knowledge of the law as it pertains to their emergency care and acute care practice is essential. Legal Issues in Emergency Medicine is an invaluable resource for medical practitioners, legal practitioners and administrators in practice and in training. The book covers key topics that have direct relevance to day to day acute patient care practice. Each topic includes a clinical vignette, followed by a review of the legal controversy, current medical scientific evidence, case law and preventative solutions to the dilemma. This approach allows practitioner exposure to a wide variety of medical-legal problems, allowing a pre-emptive, informed approach to problem solving.