American Society for Hospital Risk Management o f the American Hospital Association

840 Norrh Lake Shore DriLe Chicago, Illinois 6061 1 Telephone 312.280.6000

Perspectives in Hospital Risk Management The Newslerrer of the American Society for Hospital Risk Management of rhe American Hospital Association

Volume 4 Number 4 Fall 1984

President‘s mess age

The following column is written regularly by Bill Rogers, society president, and director of risk management, Conemaugh Valley Memorial Hospital, Johnstown, PA.

I’ve always heard it’s lonely at the top, but I don’t think it has to be.

I want all members to know that the board and I are interested in ensuring that the society satisfies the

professional needs of its members. I am always available to speak with an ASHRM member, day or night.

Remember, the AHA looks to you for direction in all matters, including policy suggestions. Please call us and tell us what you want.

My telephone number at work is 814/536-6671, ext. 407, or you may call me at home at 8141495-7229. My address is: Conemaugh Valley Memorial Hospital, 1086 Franklin St., Johnstown, PA 15905.

I’m so proud of Perspectives in Hospital Risk Management! I hope you are, too. The typeset format is beautiful, and even more important, the content is great. ASHRM has so many members who are doing inter- esting, innovative things that should be shared with the membership. If you’re one of them, please take time to write it up and submit it for publication.

Well, I won’t take up any more of your time. Please enjoy this issue of Perspectives.-Bill Rogers

Have you considered sharing your ideas in Perspectives?

The following article was written by Barbara M . Markus, assistant business manager for risk analysis, Washington University School of Medicine, St . Louis.

This has been an exciting year for me. As chairman of the ASHRM Publications Committee, I have met and spoken with many interesting people. I learned that, as in medicine and law, there may not always be one right answer to risk management problems. The more we share our ideas and problems, the closer we will get to establishing a strong professional identity and a defined body of knowledge. The new face of Perspectives, which we

engineered this year, is only the beginning. I thank you for the opportunity to work with some of you on articles and to work for the rest of you to provide essential professional communication.

Are you applying an interesting risk management technique in your hospital? Do you know of a recent court ruling that is noteworthy? Do you see a trend in a risk manage- ment issue in your locality that

~~~~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~

In this issue

Board Meets to Review, Plan Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 From the AHA President . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . 4

. . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Preventing Lawsuits and Preserving Hospital Assets . . . Guidelines for Resuscitation Decisions Available . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

. . . . 9 Hang Your Credibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Members ‘Irarn from Experience’ at Summer Symposium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Reuse of Disposable Medical Devices: Right or Wrong ?. . . . Risk Management Thoughts for Rumination and Cogitation

Affiliated Chapter Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Book Discusses Management of Medical Risk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

~~ ~~ -~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~ ~~~~~ ~