No matter how closely you follow standard of care, mistakes can be made in the operating room. CRNAs often get named in claims, even if they did everything right, so it’s important to be aware of how this happens. Marjorie Everson, PhD, CRNA, has been studying closed claims and there are plenty of findings that she hopes can help CRNAs and SRNAs in the future.
Click the timestamps below to help you navigate through the many topics we discussed.
On This Episode:
CRNAs always do their best to keep patients safe in the operating room but mistakes do happen. No one wants to be involved in a malpractice claim so it’s important to be aware of safety concerns that can impact patients.
On this episode of the podcast, we’ve invited Marjorie Everson, PhD, CRNA, to share what’s she learned from looking through closed claims. Everson has been a CRNA for more than 25 years and an educator for more than 15 years so she brings a load of experience to the conversation, especially as it relates to closed claims. It’s something she’s spent a lot of time studying and there are a number of findings – both positive and negative – that she shares on today’s show.
This is a show that everyone should pay close attention to in order to protect yourself and your patients throughout your career.
As you get started on the episode, keep an ear out for these topics:
- Why it’s important for all CRNAs to be prepared.
- How she got involved in closed claims.
- Some of the key findings she discovered from the closed claims.
- Why do experienced CRNAs make mistakes?
- Story about a time where she cancelled anesthesia because of the patient.
- The unexpected findings
- What violations were found in these claims?
- Other safety concerns that CRNAs and SRNAs should be aware of.
Check it out the interview at the top of the page and use the timestamps to help you navigate through the many topics we discussed.
3:12 – Introducing Marjorie
6:11 – Why is this so important for CRNAs?
7:39 – Defining closed claims
9:26 – Key Findings
12:31 – Why does it happen to experienced CRNAs?
19:03 – Any follow-ups?
24:25 – Story about turning patient away
28:19 – Unexpected findings
32:23 – Are students taught how to say no?
35:19 – Violations that were found
41:34 – Final thoughts from Marjorie
42:24 – Lightning Round
“When you have something terrible happen, you just feel awful. You feel isolated. And nobody thinks about you. You’re worried about being shamed by your colleagues.”
-Marjorie Everson, PhD, CRNA
