Liability when handing off service

[lejeunesage]

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I have a question about liability.
I'm an independent contractor admitting patients to a hospital.
Imagine I'm going on vacation or relocating to a new facility.
If there is an act of negligence while another physiatrist working at my hospital is taking over my service, am I liable because they were admitted under my care?
Is that the case even if I have ended my contractual responsibility with my hospital?

I'm trying to decide whether to wind down my service and stop admitting a couple of weeks before I leave or whether I am okay to hand them off to the hospital and move on to my next job.

 

[RangerBob]

I imagine if your name shows up on the chart anywhere that you’d be named in a lawsuit brought on the patient’s behalf. Usually lawyers name everyone who cared for the patient, even consultants, residents, interns, etc.

A lot of those parties could be dismissed depending on what happened. But not everything is totally clear cut regarding fault, so you could end up with a partial judgement against you even if someone else was more responsible (may you are determined to be 10% responsible, or whatever).

That’s my understanding at least.

 

[Piebaldi]

I have a question about liability.
I'm an independent contractor admitting patients to a hospital.
Imagine I'm going on vacation or relocating to a new facility.
If there is an act of negligence while another physiatrist working at my hospital is taking over my service, am I liable because they were admitted under my care?
Is that the case even if I have ended my contractual responsibility with my hospital?

I'm trying to decide whether to wind down my service and stop admitting a couple of weeks before I leave or whether I am okay to hand them off to the hospital and move on to my next job.

I would stop admitting a few weeks before you move on to a next position so you can discharge your patients and have peace of midn that you managed them as you wanted. It's anyone's guess otherwise - what if something happened the day you left and the other physiatrist screwed up or something and the patient has a bad outcome - not your fault necessarily but they could come up with any sort of excuses oh I just took over, whatever, etc. and a lawyer might douchely name you also even if partial judgement - so better to discharge yourself.

 

[lejeunesage]

I would stop admitting a few weeks before you move on to a next position so you can discharge your patients and have peace of midn that you managed them as you wanted. It's anyone's guess otherwise - what if something happened the day you left and the other physiatrist screwed up or something and the patient has a bad outcome - not your fault necessarily but they could come up with any sort of excuses oh I just took over, whatever, etc. and a lawyer might douchely name you also even if partial judgement - so better to discharge yourself.

Okay, this makes sense, especially since my trust in the other guy is not very high...

 

[Piebaldi]

Okay, this makes sense, especially since my trust in the other guy is not very high...

Even more so - discharge yourself, and peace of mind will be greater. You know what you know! 🙂