CME Program

Failure to Diagnose Acute Myocardial Infarction

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Course Description

Undiagnosed myocardial infarctions can have a devastating effect on patient lives and physician credibility. Claims related to the failure to diagnose acute myocardial infarction are among the most expensive for physicians and professional liability companies alike. Using NORCAL Mutual closed claims examples, this course examines the most common reasons that physicians miss a diagnosis of acute MI, including delays in ordering tests, misinterpreting tests and failure to refer patients for appropriate care. The course offers practical risk management strategies to reduce malpractice risk and patient death due to physician negligence.

Who Should Take This Course

This course is intended for all healthcare providers involved in the diagnosis and treatment of CVD including general/family practice physicians, internal medicine physicians, emergency medicine physicians, physicians practicing in urgent care settings, cardiologists, radiologists and allied healthcare practitioners.

Educational Objectives

By reviewing case studies and implementing the risk management recommendations herein, participants will be able to:

• Perform a thorough evaluation of chest pain and adhere to established protocols when evaluating chest pain.
• Obtain and compare ECGs and refer to a cardiologist in appropriate situations.
• Increase your competence for provider-provider communication and follow-up.
• Develop and adhere to protocols for telephone screening of chest pain.
• Achieve greater patient comprehension and compliance through the use of plain language materials and communication.

Disclosure Policy

As an ACCME accredited provider, NORCAL Mutual Insurance Company requires planners, reviewers or authors who influence or control content of a CME activity to disclose financial relationships (of any amount) they have with commercial interests associated with the CME activity during the past 12 months. Any identified conflicts of interest are resolved prior to the commencement of the activity.

Disclosures

Individuals involved in the planning, reviewing or execution of this activity have indicated they have no relevant financial relationship to disclose.

Content Advisors/Planners

Stephen M. Farber
Vice President, Risk Management and Continuing Medical Education

Dustin Shaver
Manager, Risk Management and Continuing Medical Education

Marlene Nazerey, RN, MSN
Manager, Risk Management

Christina Cassady, RN, BSN
Supervisor, Risk Management

Phyllis Drummond, RN, MSN
Risk Management Specialist

Jo Townson
Risk Management Specialist/Continuing Medical Education

Expert Reviewers

Barry Rotman, MD
Internal Medicine
Walnut Creek, CA

William Vetter, MD
Cardiology
Sacramento, CA
NORCAL Board of Directors

Accreditation Statement
NORCAL Mutual Insurance Company is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation Statement
NORCAL Mutual Insurance Company designates this educational activity for a maximum of 2 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Original release date: February 2009
Expiration date: February 28, 2011