Clinical
Risk Management FAQs
Insurance Coverage and Claims Histories
1. What kind of professional liability
coverage do I have?
As of October 1, 2007:
The George Washington University entered into an agreement with the
Medical Faculty Associates (MFA) to have its employed physicians, residents
and interns covered under the MFA's Medical Professional Liability insurance
policy. This coverage is written by the MFA's captive insurance company,
MFA Physicians Insurance Company, Ltd. domiciled in the Cayman Islands.
The policy has limits of $3 million per occurrence and $12 million in
the annual aggregate. Coverage is written on a claims made basis.
Prior to September 30, 2007:
The George Washington University provided Professional Liability coverage
for its employed physicians, residents, and interns through the George
Washington Medical Professional Liability Trust Fund. The coverage under
the Trust was written on an occurrence basis and provided limits of
at least $1 million per claim and $3 million in the annual aggregate
for acts within the scope of the individual's employment and/or training.
2. Am I covered by GWU if I moonlight
at another hospital?
No. Your professional liability coverage at GWU only covers you for
acts within the scope of your employment. If you are working for another
facility, you will either need to purchase your own individual professional
liability coverage, or obtain coverage from the facility employing you.
3. Do I need to buy a "tail"
when I leave GWU?
As of October 1, 2007:
No. Although the MFA's Medical Professional Liability insurance is written
on a claims made basis and coverage will terminate at the time the physician
leaves employment with GW; the policy will continue to provide coverage
for all services rendered on behalf of GW during the physician's employment
for the remainder of the policy period and any subsequent renewal.
Prior to September 30, 2007:
No. Because your coverage was provided on an occurrence basis, any claim
that may arise against you in the future that is as a result of and
within the scope of your employment here at GWU is covered by the Trust.
The coverage limits that will be available for the claim are those limits
that were in effect at the time the incident occurred.
4. I am graduating from my residency
soon, and applying for privileges to practice at other hospitals. How
do I obtain a claims history and verification of my insurance coverage?
As of October 1, 2007:
If you are requesting verification of coverage and a claim history as
of October 1, 2007, please contact Melissa Hartfiel with Alliant Healthcare
Solutions via email at mhartfiel@alliantinsurance.com.
Prior to September 30, 2007:
Verification of coverage and a claims history may be obtained by contacting
the Office of Risk Management, at (202) 994-3265. Forms for completion
may be faxed to (202) 994-0130. If you are personally requesting the
information, you will be asked to sign a release authorizing GW to release
this information on your behalf. The Authorization form may be found
under the "Forms" section of this website.
Subpoenas, Lawsuits and Attorney Contact
1. I received a subpoena regarding
a former patient I took care of. What should I do with it?
The Office of the General Counsel for the University has specific procedures
to follow in the instance that you are approached by or served with
a subpoena. The specific guidance may be found at: http://www.gwu.edu/~vpgc/pdf/summons.pdf
2. I was served with a lawsuit regarding
a former patient I took care of. What should I do with it?
See the response noted above. Additionally, if you accepted service
of the document, make a note of the date and time you accepted the document.
Call the Office of the General Counsel immediately at (202) 994-6503.
3. I received a telephone call from
an attorney asking to speak with me about a patient I cared for. Should
I talk to him/her?
Do not have any discussions with an attorney who is calling to speak
with you about a patient, unless you have been informed by the Office
of Risk Management, or counsel from the University's Office of the General
Counsel, that it is appropriate to do so. You may inform the caller
that you are not authorized to speak with them, and refer them to the
Office of Risk Management at (202) 994-3265 or the Office of the General
Counsel at (202) 994-6503.
Patient Incidents and Unexpected Adverse Patient
Outcomes
1. In what situations must I contact
the Graduate Medical Education office?
Because we rely on students, interns, and residents for notification
regarding adverse patient outcomes, it is important that you contact
the Graduate Medical Education office in the following situations:
1. Death as a result of an actual or suspected adverse event
2. Loss or impairment of limb or organ
3. Wrong patient/wrong site surgical procedure
4. Incorrect invasive treatment or procedure
5. Unintentionally retained foreign body
6. Suicide or attempted suicide of a patient
7. Elopement from facility
8. Brain damage as a result of procedure or treatment
9. Any infant born with an Apgar <6 at 5 minutes
10. Shoulder dystocia with brachial plexus injury
11. Ruptured uterus
12. Hysterectomy in post-partum woman
13. Intravascular catheter related events
14. Peri-operative or peri-procedural related peripheral or CNS deficits
15. Loss of sight
16. Spinal cord injury
17. Severe disfigurement, including but not limited to burns and amputations.
18. All Sentinel Events
19. Contact from an attorney regarding a former patient
This list is not inclusive of all events that may require a notice
to Graduate Medical Education office. If a resident becomes aware of
an unexpected outcome and has a concern that it may give rise to a claim,
it should be reported as a precautionary notice. Finally, if a resident
believes there is the potential for an adverse outcome to a patient,
we encourage you to notify the Graduate Medical Education office, as
these reports are important to the process of continuous quality improvement
of patient care, and the improvement of patient outcomes.
In addition to reporting to Graduate Medical Education office, please
notify the Program Director of the relevant program through the Chief
Resident.
