Most physicians know the basic dos and don’ts of accurately documenting notes in a patient’s medical record. However, problems often arise when documenting a disagreement with the findings of another provider, or when using descriptive language about the patient. The wrong choice of words may be perceived as biased or disrespectful.

When Governor Gavin Newsom signed California Assembly Bill 35 (AB 35) into law on May 23, 2022, it opened the door for a likely tremendous surge of medical malpractice litigation—with increasing frequency and cost—after it goes into effect on January 1, 2023.

We know you always have your patients’ best interests at heart. But have you thought about the possibility that unconscious biases against certain genders, ethnicities, or cultures may be impacting your care? A bias is the negative evaluation of one group and its members relative to another. Implicit or unconscious bias does not require an individual to be aware of their actions or beliefs.

One of the most important methods of mortality surveillance is through monitoring causes of death as reported on death certificates. Death certificates are registered for every death occurring in the United States, which helps provide a complete picture of mortality trends and data nationwide.

We’ve all heard the term “speed kills.” Just like a road or freeway is engineered with consideration of vehicles in motion towards an established maximum safe speed, the medical office, too, is designed for efficient, safe care at a maximum limit.