As mental and behavioral health care grows more universal, and the delivery of health care services becomes more diverse, providers must be prepared to account for shifting landscapes regarding the standard of care. Given new trends emerging within this field, there are best practices providers can utilize to manage and mitigate risk in the emergency room setting.
Vetting and Training Personnel
Within the context of behavioral health emergency room treatment, vetting and training of personnel constitutes a key factor in litigation that often manifests in corporate negligence claims. Institutional providers may face exposure not only for the actions of their staff related to the patient, but also the operation of the facility itself. This includes factors such as the hiring and retaining of personnel, the adequacy of policies and procedures, adequacy of facilities and equipment, and notably, training and oversight of staff.