In 2014, the era of health care reform will fully take effect. The many changes will bring uncertainty to health care providers, as well as patients.

Cobb v. Grant was one of the first California cases to establish two informed consent components: The patient’s right of self-determination (no matter how bad the decision) and the physician’s non-delegable responsibility, due to advanced training, knowledge, and expertise, to adequately communicate information to the patient through the informed consent process that would enable the patient to determine the course of treatment he or she chooses.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands with soap and clean, running water.

When it comes to cultivating a culture of patient safety, we know we must do it, but often get lost in the how-to part.

When asked, “What keeps a hospitalist up at night?” Jeff Shapiro, MD, hospitalist at Central Valley Health Partners at Foothill Presbyterian Hospital answered, “Well, I can tell you it used to be medication reconciliation.”