Risk Management In Apparent Authority In Health Care

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Apparent authority is also called (“ostensible authority”) relates to the doctrine s of the law agency. Apparent agency is an agency, corporation or partnership which employs another person to do his or her work on person behalf and has the responsibility of the employer and act in person. Apparent authority is formed by contract between parties, but contract is not always necessary.
According to Showalter describes apparent authority, as a members of the medical field who are not hospital employees, but they have contract with the hospital. They render services to the hospital patients. These employees could be physicians, radiologist, pathologist, or anaesthiologist. They are employees for the patients but doctors are on independent contracts.
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This is always of great concern for health care risk managers. They need to be careful as there is always risk of vicarious liability with the hospital and all necessary precautions should be taken to cut down such risks.
In Cordero vs Christ hospital (Health Risk Management, 2009) patient was treated by independent anesthesiologist who was contracted with the hospital. The patient had never seen that physician before. Neither patient was informed by the doctor that he was independent contractor nor he had any kind of identity on him that he was affiliated within independent anesthesiology group. During the surgery patient suffered brain damage, which led her to death. As plaintiff was not able to prove that physicians were independent contractor and was not working for the hospital. Patient was misled that he was one of the hospital
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It is important for hospital to make their patient aware that doctors are acting on their behalf or not. According to Daniel Salinas chief medical officer of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta ‘Transition of care points improve if we are aligned correctly and that equals quality of care”. Physicians and administrators should share decision from upper levels through each service line. Physicians and non-physicians can form powerful synergy. Hospital should collaborate with their physicians and maintain good relationship to be

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