CNA Zeroes in on Serious Medical Errors

Recently, CNA insurance companies issued a client bulletin to provide healthcare managers with risk management guidance on responding to serious medical errors or so-called "never events” because they never should have happened. Also known as "hospital-acquired conditions” and "serious reportable events,” these medical errors are the subject of recently issued policy statements from the federal government, healthcare and consumer groups, and private insurers. Among the issues addressed in these policy statements is the need for no-charge policies, whereby fees are waived when a never event occurs. The CNA bulletin reviews the position taken in some of the recently issued policy statements. It also provides guidelines for healthcare organizations to review their error-response policies and procedures as part of a sound, enterprise-wide risk management strategy. CNA is one of the nation’s leading providers of medical liability insurance for healthcare providers and organizations. The new bulletin is one of dozens of healthcare risk management publications available at www.cna.com. Click "Risk Control,” "Client Materials,” then, "Medical Services.” CNA is the country’s seventh largest commercial insurance writer and the 13th largest property and casualty company. CNA’s insurance products include standard commercial lines, specialty lines, surety, marine and other property and casualty coverages. CNA services include risk management, information services, underwriting, risk control and claims administration. For more information, please visit CNA at www.cna.com. CNA is a registered service mark, trade name and domain name of CNA Financial Corporation.