CRICO

Happy New Year from CRICO and Candello! We want to take a moment to thank all of those who worked tirelessly to keep health care safe for all throughout 2024, and wish you a happy and healthy 2025! The CRICO and Candello hybrid offices will be closed on January 1st, and will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, January 2nd.

In Candello's 2024 Benchmarking Report "For the Record: The Effect of Documentation on Defensibility and Patient Safety," data show the connection between documentation and diagnosis errors across various Medicine services. Download our report here: https://hubs.li/Q030Jcq90

December is a season of light, hope, and togetherness. Whether lighting a menorah for Hanukkah, a kinara for Kwanzaa, or stringing lights for Christmas, this is a time to celebrate warmth, joy, and unity. On behalf of CRICO and Candello, we join you in spreading light and love in all its beautiful forms The offices will close at 1pm on Tuesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) before the 12/25 holidays.

CRICO's newest blog post, "If You Don’t Document It, It Didn’t Happen," by David Feldman, MD discusses this year’s Candello Benchmarking Report, “For the Record: The Effect of Documentation on Defensibility and Patient Safety." The report contains an extensive review of where documentation goes wrong, and the legal consequences are explored in detail. In addition, you will find useful tips for avoiding these errors. Read the blog post here: https://hubs.li/Q0301NmG0 Check out the Candello 2024 BMR here: https://hubs.li/Q0301NnC0

In Candello's 2024 Benchmarking Report "For the Record: The Effect of Documentation on Defensibility and Patient Safety" data show that 19% of Surgery cases with a documentation factor involve informed consent. For further informed consent knowledge, read our most recent Strategies for Patient Safety newsletter, "Beyond the Signature," which discusses how adequate informed consent extends well beyond the paperwork. Read our November 2024 SPS newsletter here: https://hubs.li/Q02_sXW90 Download our report here: https://hubs.li/Q02_t3Z20

Candello's 2024 Benchmarking Report "For the Record: The Effect of Documentation on Defensibility and Patient Safety" data show that documentation errors persist across all specialties and care settings and double the odds of a med mal case closing with an indemnity payment. While the issue of documentation failures may seem daunting, meaningful change is within reach. To close out the year, we share these research-backed documentation tips to help strengthen defensibility and enhance patient safety. Here are 9 Ways to Reduce Documentation Risk in 2025: 1. Recording details to support closed-loop communication 2. Avoiding altered or late entries 3. Not using judgmental phrasing about other providers 4. Reviewing transcribed language before signing off 5. Documenting informed consent conversations and the setting of patient expectations 6. Implementing best practice solutions learned from audits and reviews 7. Preventing inconsistent documentation to make for a stronger defense in court 8. Noting patient non-adherence and efforts made to reach the patient 9. Using respectful and inclusive language in the medical record Download our report here: https://hubs.li/Q02-xt6P0

CRICO and Candello recognize the annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3. The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities.

In 2021, CRICO launched the development and implementation of Ambulatory Safety Nets (ASNs) for top-occurring cancers and selected behavioral health issues. Since then, eight of our insured-institutions have launched ASN's for four cancers (colorectal, breast, lung, and prostate), and to also combat mental health issues. The participating Cancer Collaborative members include: Atrius Health, Beth Israel Lahey Health, Mass General Brigham, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Cambridge Health Alliance, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and MIT Mental Health Collaborative members: Boston Children's Hospital and MIT Medical By developing a Patient Safety Adoption Framework and establishing the ASN Collaborative for the design and implementation phases, patients who previously fell through the cracks after a concerning clinical finding related to breast, colorectal, prostate, or lung cancer will now be systematically identified and contacted for follow-up treatment. What We Offer: https://hubs.li/Q02ZZzk10

As Thanksgiving approaches, the CRICO and Candello offices will be closed starting Wednesday afternoon at 1:00 pm EST through the rest of the week. We wish everyone a safe and healthy holiday spent with family and loved ones!

Insights from Candello's Benchmarking Report, "For the Record: The Effect of Documentation on Defensibility and Patient Safety," enable you and your colleagues to make meaningful change. Here's why it matters: During the past decade, closed cases involving documentation have increased by an average of 7% How to pay it forward: Share the report with your network! https://hubs.li/Q02ZqZdD0