Blogs

Addressing Patient Allegations of Abuse and Assault: The Critical Role of Risk Management and Investigation

By ASHRM Forum posted 15 days ago
by Rebecca Bailey, MSN, RN, CPHRM, ERM-Cert; and Shannon Delchamps, BSN, RN, CPHRM, CPPS, ERM-CERT Patient allegations of abuse and assault can be costly to health care organizations in terms of finances, reputation and regulatory consequences. This article outlines how to position your organization for success when allegations of abuse or assault are made. In the world of health care, protecting patients and providing a safe environment is an obligation and expectation. For decades, the focus has been on creating a culture of safety in health care. One area of concern that seems to be growing is patient allegations of assault or abuse by health care team ...

Spotlight on Medical Gaslighting

By ASHRM Forum posted 22 days ago
by Pamela Johnson, RN, BSN, CPHRM; and Joan M. Porcaro, RN, BSN, MM, CPC, CPHRM, DFASHRM Each year, the Emergency Care Research Institute (ECRI) (1) issues its Top 10 Patient Safety Concerns. ECRI’s 2025 report identifies the dismissal of patient, family, and caregiver concerns as the foremost threat to patient safety. In their review, this safety concern was referred to as “gaslighting,” but it is often referred to as “medical gaslighting,” which involves invalidating a patient’s clinical concerns without proper evaluation. According to the American Journal of Medicine, medical gaslighting is “an act that invalidates a patient’s genuine clinical concern ...

Leaning into the "Soft" Side of Health Care Risk Management

By ASHRM Forum posted 02-04-2026
by S. Linda Habibi, JD, MBA, CPHRM, CPPS When people think of health care risk management, they often picture bad outcomes, lawsuits and claims, and regulatory reporting. But for those of us on the frontlines of risk management, we know so much of the work is interpersonal and human. One of the most difficult, yet critical, parts of the job is interviewing frontline staff after an adverse outcome, which may often occur within hours or days of the event. These conversations are rarely easy. Staff may be scared, confused, or angry. Many worry they are going to be blamed for the event, or even fired. Some do not fully understand what health care risk management ...

January 2026 ASHRM President's Message

By ASHRM Forum posted 01-28-2026
by Katherine Du Fresne, RN, MSN, CPHRM, FASHRM Dear ASHRM Membership, We are only a few weeks into 2026 but I find myself already feeling excitement for what lies ahead serving as the ASHRM 2026 President. I am very much looking forward to the learning, the professional camaraderie, and the hard work that is sure to come along with that excitement! I would like to recognize that coming into this role I have been supported and mentored by so many past and current ASHRM leaders. Not the least of whom is Chris Allman. Chris set the stage as an energetic, thoughtful, and dedicated ASHRM President in 2025. I am honored to count Chris as not only a mentor, ...

Patient Portals: Use, Benefits & Risks

By ASHRM Forum posted 01-12-2026
by Frank Caria, MPA, CHC, CHPC As members of the health care community, we find ourselves in an environment that continues to focus on patient and provider engagement and accountability. Access to health information and easy communication are core elements to successful experiences and outcomes for both patients and providers. The use of “patient portals” has increased, with the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) reporting in 2022 that nearly 3-in-5 individuals have engaged in the use of online access to their health information and more than 73% were offered online access in that time. [i] What Are Patient Portals ...

Patient Safety Structural Measure (PSSM): A Short Primer

By ASHRM Forum posted 11-25-2025
by Kathryn Biasotti, BSN, CPHRM, LNCC As hospitals fast approach the end of 2025, the period during which they will attest to meeting the requirements of the new CMS Patient Safety Structural Measure (PSSM), we want to offer a quick primer on the PSSM. The PSSM was developed to assess how well hospitals have implemented strategies and practices to build a safety culture and strengthen safety systems. This assessment assigns scores across five domains, with the first scores to be published on the Hospital Compare site in the fall of 2026. The measure challenges us to go beyond the surface and work on foundational systems and processes that strengthen our focus ...

November 2025 President's Message

By ASHRM Forum posted 11-11-2025
by Christopher Allman, JD, CPHRM, DFASHRM November is often a month where we find ourselves expressing gratitude for all of the things that we are thankful for during the preceding year. Certainly, this November, my cup runneth over with the number of things I have to be grateful for as the 2025 ASHRM President. To be frank, if I tried to name all of my blessings, this would be a tl;dr column, but if you would indulge me, I would like to list a few things I have been grateful for in my year as President. First and foremost, I am thankful for the ASHRM Advisory Board and the ASHRM Staff. During 2025, ASHRM certainly saw its fair share of challenges. But ...

Benefits of Using Video to Support and Optimize the Informed Consent Process

By ASHRM Forum posted 10-21-2025
Informed consent is a cornerstone of ethical medical practice. However, traditional methods can sometimes fall short of truly preparing patients for complex procedures, especially when forms and discussions are overly broad or generalized. A forward-thinking approach is to utilize video to support and optimize the informed consent process. In an ASHRM podcast , Bruce Keplinger, founding member of Norris Keplinger Hicks and Welder and mediator for Jay Daugherty Mediation and Arbitration, and Dr. Ankur Patel, co-chair of the North American Neuromodulation Society Residents and Fellows, offered helpful information surrounding this approach and why it will ultimately ...

September 2025 President's Message

By ASHRM Forum posted 09-12-2025
by Christopher Allman, ASHRM President It’s finally here! September! The month has arrived for the 2025 ASHRM Annual Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina! Many of us wait for this opportunity to gather together all year for a fantastic learning and networking opportunity! If you haven’t already, check out the Annual Conference agenda on the ASHRM website and register while there is still time! One of the speakers I am looking forward to most is our opening keynote speaker , Julia Landauer, a NASCAR driver and two-time champion. Now, I have to be honest here, I am not a NASCAR fan. However, I admire the skill, teamwork and perseverance ...

Top Tools for Protecting Your Practice: A Brief Guide for Independent and Hospital-Owned Physician Office Practices

By ASHRM Forum posted 08-22-2025
by Joan M. Porcaro, RN, BSN, MM, CPHRM, FASHRM Running a medical office practice involves much more than providing patient care. Key operational areas include regulatory compliance, financial management, staffing, human resources, technology oversight, marketing, supply chain logistics, patient satisfaction, legal matters, safety for both patients and staff, and facility management. These represent just a few of the critical components necessary for a successful practice. In addition to these responsibilities, physicians must proactively safeguard their practice against various clinical and operational risks to ensure longevity and success. Below ...

July ASHRM President's Message

By ASHRM Forum posted 07-08-2025
by Chris Allman, JD, CPHRM, DFASHRM July! Summertime! Summer is always my favorite time of the year. In addition to being able to enjoy our short window of warm weather (for those of us in the Midwest), many of us take our summer vacations; we spend time with family and friends at backyard cookouts, the beach, local festivals or at the pool. We have important celebrations like graduation parties and weddings. To me, summer has always been a time of busyness but truly being busy with doing things that are important to us and that reconnect us with those around us. Similarly, this summer has been an active time at ASHRM, as things start to heat up for ...

Avoiding "Never Words" in Health Care: A Guide for Risk Professionals

By ASHRM Forum posted 05-27-2025
by Kim Smart, RN, JD, PhD In the fast-paced world of health care, where time is critical and emotions can run high, the words we choose can make or break patient safety and satisfaction. But are we always mindful of how our communication impacts care? Research has consistently shown that physician communication plays a critical role in health care outcomes and satisfaction (1). In particular, clear and compassionate communication is essential when addressing difficult topics such as serious diagnoses and end-of-life care. The movement to advance clear communication and post-event disclosure programs and the development of Apology Laws are founded on awareness ...

May ASHRM President's Message

By ASHRM Forum posted 05-08-2025
by Chris Allman, JD, CPHRM, DFASHRM Spring has finally sprung! As the weather starts to warm up (finally!) around the country, so do the offerings and happenings around ASHRM and many ASHRM-affiliated state chapters. As we kick off the month of May, I am lucky enough to be attending Chapter meetings in New Jersey, Southern California and Michigan. At each of these meetings, I am always blown away by the great sessions and speakers. For as long as I have been a risk professional, I still take away something new from each session. I also love to learn the nuances of health care risk management in different areas of the country, not only from the education sessions, ...

Creating an Effective Risk Management Committee: A Blueprint for Organizations

By ASHRM Forum posted 04-17-2025
by Matthew A. Thomson and Joan M. Porcaro, RN, BSN, MM, CPHRM, FASHRM In health care, an effective risk management program is vital for patient safety, regulatory compliance, and financial stability. Creating a Risk Management Committee (RMC) is one of the best ways to achieve this. This article explores the merits for having an RMC in a health care organization and how it can contribute to overall organizational success in providing safe and effective care to their patients. Responsibility & Objectives of the RMC A Risk Management Committee (RMC) plays a crucial role in overseeing and guiding an organization's risk management strategies ...

March ASHRM President's Message

By ASHRM Forum posted 03-19-2025
by Chris Allman, JD, CPHRM, DFASHRM March is always a tough month in the Midwest. You’ve perhaps heard it said that “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.” Nowhere is that truer than in the Midwest. As I write this, I’ve just finished four college tours at midwestern colleges in four days with my high school aged kids in near subzero weather, which is clearly the “lion” part. Which just makes me appreciate much more the “lamb” part, which, although it’s not in the Midwest, I’m considering our fantastic week learning and networking at the ASHRM Academy in beautiful Orlando, Florida. I’m always so inspired by our faculty and ASHRM staff at ...

Decoding Cybersecurity: A Brief Risk Management Guide

By ASHRM Forum posted 02-27-2025
by Sarah Bush, MBA, CPHRM Headlines about cyberattacks in health care have become commonplace, and risk management professionals and providers receive cybersecurity alerts and updates almost daily. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, health care data breaches have consistently trended upward from 2012-2021 and have doubled in a 3-year period. Given this trend and the negative impact it can have on patient safety and risk financing, it is imperative that risk management professionals are prepared to act appropriately and quickly should their organization become the victim of a cyberattack. In this article, we will review some of the ...

January President's Message

By ASHRM Forum posted 01-22-2025
by Chris Allman, JD, CPHRM, DFASHRM Happy New Year! Hopefully, you and your families all had a joyful and peaceful holiday season! Now that we are in 2025, I can’t tell you how excited I am to get to work as ASHRM’s 2025 President. Of course, before I do that, I would like to recognize the tremendous work of your 2024 President, Tatum O’Sullivan. Among her many accomplishments, Tatum guided the ASHRM Advisory Board through the process of developing the 2025-2027 ASHRM Strategic Plan, which we will be officially rolling out soon. This new strategic plan continues the momentum from the 2022-2024 Strategic Plan and sets up ASHRM, and its members, for success ...

Optimizing Travel Nursing with Key Risk Management Strategies

By ASHRM Forum posted 12-17-2024
In today’s health care landscape, travel nursing offers a unique and rewarding career path for nurses seeking flexibility, adventure, and new professional challenges. However, with the mobility and variety of environments that come with travel nursing, there also come certain risks – from managing unfamiliar hospital policies to navigating state-specific licensure requirements and ensuring personal safety in new locations. In a recent podcast, Bentley Skinner, RN, Risk Manager for Maxim Healthcare Staffing, shared key risk management strategies that every travel nurse should know. He also provided insights into best practices for staying safe, while delivering ...

ASHRM President O’Sullivan’s November Message

By ASHRM Forum posted 11-26-2024
by Tatum O'Sullivan, RN, BSN, MHSA, CPHRM, DFASHRM, CPPS If you were able to attend the ASHRM Annual Conference in October, you likely returned home feeling energized and eager to apply some of that new knowledge you acquired. From the opening to closing keynote speakers and everything in between, it was a wonderful event. The feedback from attendees about the pre-conference education was also positive and very well attended. What I heard the most was that the variety and caliber of sessions was top notch, and I have to say that I agree. The virtual platform was impressive as well and I was able to attend sessions that I missed at the live event. Thank you ...

Applying Critical Thinking When Deploying Artificial Intelligence

By ASHRM Forum posted 11-13-2024
by Mary K. Steffany Over the past several decades technological advances have repeatedly impacted the delivery of health care. Computer-assisted surgery, robots/robotics, computer applications (apps), online patient portals, telehealth, and artificial intelligence (AI) are just a few examples of how the delivery of patient care has evolved. While technology has played a significant role in expanding cutting-edge resources available to providers and influencing aspects of the patient experience, it is important to be mindful of the potential risks associated with these advances – in particular, the possibly diminished role of critical thinking itself at ...