Review Course

Test Taking Tips & Sample Questions

Julie Dickinson, MBA BSN RN LNCCKaren J. Huff, BSN RN LNCC

September 12, 2012

The educational content contained in this webinar is current and accurate and contact hours will be

awarded through December, 2014.

Speaker Introductions

Julie Dickinson Karen Huff

CONFLICT OF INTERESTCONFLICT OF INTERESTJulie Dickinson and Karen Huff hearby Julie Dickinson and Karen Huff hearby certify that, to the best of our knowledge, no affiliation or relationship of a financial nature with a commercial interest organization  has significantly affected their views on the subject on which they are presenting.

Schedule for Webinar SeriesDATE TOPICS SPEAKERS

Webinar #101/18/12

Medical Malpractice Elder Law

Julie DickinsonKaren Huff

Webinar #202/01/12

Personal InjuryForensics / Criminal

Kathy FerrellDiane Reboy

Webinar #302/15/12

Product Liability Toxic Torts Regulatory Compliance

Rosie OldhamCatherine BeasleyRosie & Catherine

Webinar #402/29/12

Life Care PlanningWorker’s CompRisk Management

Patty CostantiniPatty CostantiniPatty Costantini

Webinar #503/14/12

Administrative Health LawTest Taking TipsPractice Questions

Julie DickinsonKaren HuffJulie & Karen

Webinar #609/12/12

Test Taking TipsPractice Questions

Karen HuffJulie Dickinson & Karen

Objectives for Today’s Webinar

• Describe 3 ways a legal nurse consultant can prepare for the LNCC examination.

• List 4 test-taking tips.

• Identify 3 LNC skills that the LNCC examination is designed to measure.

LNCC Review Course:

Test Taking Tips

Karen J. Huff, BSN RN LNCCSeptember 12, 2012

Preparing for the LNCC Exam

• Review LNCC Exam Handbook

• Study Materials & Other Resources

• Intellectual Preparation

• Learn about the test itself

LNCC Application Handbook

• Includes application deadlines, list of study guides, eligibility requirements, exam information

• To download, http://www.aalnc.org/lncc/ • LNCC website has additional information at

www.lnccertified.org or www.aalnc/lncc.org

LNCC Eligibility Requirements

Coming in 2013 ……revised ALNCCB guidelines for

•Eligibility requirements / Practice Hours• 2000 hours in five years (rather than 3 years) to sit for

initial exam, same as recertification requirements

•Recertification• Increased options for types of activities eligible for CEs

•Visit ALNCCB Booth at the Forum for more info!

Emotional Preparation

• A little anxiety is a good thing.

• Severe anxiety (test anxiety) impairs test performance.

• Feeling intellectually prepared is the best anxiety reducer for most people.

• If you need special accommodations for a disability, request them.

Study Materials & Other Resources

• Legal Nurse Consulting Principles, Legal Nurse Consulting Practices (AALNC’s core curriculum)

• LNCC Practice Exam

• LNCC Review Course (this course!)

• Reading list prepared for this course

• Journal of Legal Nurse Consulting (JLNC)

Study Materials & Other Resources

• Mentors in other areas of practice

• See additional resources listed in LNCC handbook

• On-the-job experience helps!!

ALNCCB Disclaimer re Study Materials

• Companies called Morrison Media LLC and Kaplan advertise certification preparation programs of study for the Legal Nurse Consultant Certified (“LNCC”) Examination.

• Neither Morrison Media nor Kaplan are affiliated with American Legal Nurse Consultant Certification Board (“ALNCCB”) or the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (“AALNC”).

• No representatives of either Morrison Media nor Kaplan have any involvement in the preparation or testing of the LNCC examination and the products which they offered are neither sanctioned nor approved by the ALNCCB

Intellectual Preparation

• Study in a systematic manner. Plan your study over a period of weeks or months.• Individual preparation• Study groups• Formal review course• Combination of strategies

Intellectual Preparation, Cont.

• Identify weak areas• Make study guides• Use your cases

Physical Preparation

• Get sufficient sleep prior to the exam.• Eat something before the exam. • Be sure you know the location of the test

site.• Gather together your photo ID, RN

license, exam permit.• Bring a sweater or jacket. Rooms are

often cool.• Use bathroom before entering testing site• Bring a watch for monitoring time.

Learn About the Exam

• LNCC Blueprint• Scope of the Exam• Style of the Exam• Scoring & Reporting

LNCC Test Blueprint

Axis 1 - Practice Areas % of Test

Medical Malpractice 27-31%

Personal Injury 19-23%

Product Liability/Toxic Tort 10-14%

Workers’ Compensation 12-16%

Risk Management 5-9%

Life Care Planning 4-7%

Criminal/Forensic 1-4%

Administrative Health Law/Regulatory Compliance

4-8%

Elder Law 3-6%

Scope of the Examination

The LNCC examination is designed to measure the nurse's ability to:

•Collect and investigate healthcare records, research, literature, standards, guidelines, laws, costs, etc. related to a case, concerning issues of standards of care, causation, and/or damages.

Scope of the Examination, Cont.

• Analyze data in pertinent medical records, research, literature, standards, guidelines, laws, costs, etc. related to a case, concerning issues of standards of care, causation, and/or damages.

• Facilitate communication between clients (e.g., attorney, claims manager, agency) and parties, experts, witnesses, and vendors.

Scope of the Examination, Cont.

• Draft materials considered attorney work product or to be used as evidence in healthcare-related cases.

• Educate oneself and clients on the health sciences pertaining to issues in a case.

• Collaborate with clients to support case strategy during discovery or case management.

Scope of the Examination, Cont.

• Support the process of adjudication of cases (e.g., trial, settlement, arbitration, or mediation).

• Testify as an expert opinion or fact witness.

Style of Exam

• Case Set of Questions • Most questions are written in case sets, with an

introductory medical-legal situation, followed by a series of test questions

• Individual Knowledge Questions

• Questions are multiple choice

• ONLY one right answer!

Scoring and Reporting

• 73% correct required to pass.

• Score converted to standard score. Standard score of 95 = passing.

• Average pass rate

• Persons who do not pass are given breakdown (% correct) by blueprint area, type of case.

Test Taking Tips: Myths & Misconceptions

• It’s a mistake to change your initial answer. • (Not true.)

• Many questions have two correct answers. • (Not true.)

• It’s better to leave a question blank if you’re not sure of the answer. • (Not true.)

Test-taking Tips:Multiple Choice Questions

• Read ? Carefully

• Answer ? in your head

• Read all choices; eliminate wrong answers

• More likely to be true

Test-taking Tips, Cont.

• Read entire question

• Do not “read into” the question. Answer the question only on the information presented.

• Skip question if too difficult, or…

• Come back to difficult questions Look for key words - bolded & italicized;

first, next, except, not, but…..

Test-taking Tips, Cont.

• Pace yourself. Be aware of time.

• Keep positive/manage anxiety

• Do not worry about others in the room

• Proof work if time permits

Test-taking Tips, Cont.

• Be sure to keep in mind who the LNC is representing (e.g., PLAINTIFF, DEFENSE) in the case.

• Differentiate legal nursing from attorney actions in the possible answers

• The term “client” refers to the person or agency who has engaged the LNC’s services (law firm, insurance company, hospital, etc.)

Test-taking Tips, Cont.

• Legal terms – study concepts or definitions only

• See med mal section from webinar #1 for examples

• See AALNC bookstore for resource• Legal Terminology Primer Helps the nurse to

become familiar with and understand some of the legal terms encountered while practicing legal nurse consulting.

Test-taking Tips, Cont.

• In summary, be prepared –• Intellectually• Emotionally• Physically

Good Luck!!!

Sample Questions

• Source: Sample questions that follow are taken from the LNCC® Practice Exam

• About the LNCC® Practice Exam• Developed with the testing company • Endorsed by ALNCCB• Contains 100 questions based on LNCC blueprint• Available for purchase from AALNC at www.aalnc.org

Sample Questions: Medical Malpractice

While eating out, Mrs. Peterson’s 2 ½-year-old son, Joe, choked on a hot dog. He turned blue and collapsed. When the ambulance arrived, the EMT resuscitated and intubated Joe. Mrs. Peterson was told to meet the ambulance at the emergency room of the local hospital. She arrived before the ambulance. Joe was unresponsive when he arrived. The ED physician determined the endotracheal tube was in the esophagus. Joe was reintubated then transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit still unresponsive, where he died 12 hours later.

The most important objective for Mrs. Peterson’s first meeting with the plaintiff attorney and LNC is

a. Schedule dates for depositionsb. Determine factors explaining the health care providers’ actionsc. Identify likely defendantsd. Evaluate the family’s expectation for Joe, if he were alive

Sample Questions: Medical Malpractice

Rationale: Initial Plaintiff Interview

“Names of all potential health care defendants should be solicited” during the initial interview of Plaintiff.

Conklin, M. R. & Fox, K. S. (2010). Communication with clients in the medical malpractice arena. In A. Peterson & L. Kopishke (Eds), Legal nurse consulting: Principles (229). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

Rationale:

a. Schedule dates for depositionsb. Determine factors explaining the health care providers’ actions

d. Evaluate the family’s expectation for Joe, if he were alive

To determine liability, the plaintiff LNC should initially request which of the following records

a. EMT recordsb. EMT and ED recordsc. EMT, ED, PICU & pediatrician recordsd. EMT, ED, PICU, pediatric and birth records

Sample Questions: Medical Malpractice

Rationale: Data Collection

“With every plaintiff, the attorney must gather sufficient facts to conduct the appropriate research and factual investigation . . . to guide the plaintiff in choosing an appropriate course of action.”

Conklin, M. R. & Fox, K. S. (2010). Communication with clients in the medical malpractice arena. In A. Peterson & L. Kopishke (Eds), Legal nurse consulting: Principles (229). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

Rationale:

a. EMT records

c. EMT, ED, PICU & pediatrician recordsd. EMT, ED, PICU, pediatric and birth records

The plaintiff LNC understands the most limiting effect on the size of the award determined by the jury is

a. Who gave Joe the hot dogb. Joe has two brothersc. Joe never regained consciousnessd. Joe died after being transferred to the PICU

Sample Questions: Medical Malpractice

Rationale: Noneconomic Damages

“General [noneconomic] damages are injuries on which the law is unable to place a dollar amount such as ‘pain and suffering.’”

“In recent years many states have enacted caps on noneconomic damages. . . A cap on pain and suffering…can significantly limit the recovery.”

Miller, P. Z. (2010). Elements of triage: Effective case screening of medical malpractice claims. In A. Peterson & L. Kopishke (Eds), Legal nurse consulting: Principles (110, 114-115). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

Rationale:

a. Who gave Joe the hot dogb. Joe has two brothers

d. Joe died after being transferred to the PICU

During a routine visit to the obstetrician, Sally Brown has a nonreassuring non-stress test. She is admitted to the hospital for monitoring and trial labor. The next morning fetal heart monitor strips are normal, and Sally begins to have normal contractions. A Pitocin drip is started. Over the next six hours, fetal heart monitor strips demonstrate the fetus’ heart rate frequently decelerates until eventually there are two consecutive three-minute periods where the heart rate drops to 60 beats-per-minute.

Sample Questions: Medical Malpractice

After a 40 minute delay, Sally is taken to the operating suite. A female infant is delivered with Apgar scores of 1 at one minute, 2 at five minutes, and 4 at ten minutes. The infant is severely impaired but is discharged after a 13-week stay in the NICU. The Browns contact an attorney.

Sample Questions: Medical Malpractice

During review of the original records, the plaintiff LNC finds a labor flow sheet that was not in the copy the attorney received, and it is marked “DO NOT SEND”. Who should the LNC contact, initially?

a. Plaintiff attorneyb. Medical records supervisorc. Hospital risk managerd. Director of nursing

Sample Questions: Medical Malpractice

Rationale: Communication with Attorney-Client

“The LNC should … alert the attorney to the suspected nature and validity of the [medical record] alteration.”

D’Andrea, D. D. & Dworniczek, J. (2010). Medical record analysis. In A. Peterson & L. Kopishke (Eds), Legal nurse consulting: Principles (330). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

Rationale:

b. Medical records supervisorc. Hospital risk managerd. Director of nursing

Ms. Brown tells the plaintiff attorney and LNC the obstetrician examined her several times but did not look at the fetal heart monitor strips. The attorney asks the LNC to

a. Obtain Ms. Brown’s affidavitb. Call to verify with the labor nursec. Draft deposition questions for the obstetriciand. Tell Ms. Brown that it is not relevant to the case

Sample Questions: Medical Malpractice

Rationale: Role of the behind-the-scenes

LNC in deposition

“More than any other tool in the discovery process, depositions may serve to provide vital information. . . and reveal the strength or weakness of the opposing counsel’s legal position… [LNCs] may be recruited to help draft deposition questions based on their review of medical records and the medical research they have conducted.”

DiCecco, K. L. (2010). Discovery and disclosure. In A. Peterson & L. Kopishke (Eds), Legal nurse consulting: Principles (154-155). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

Rationale:

a. Obtain Ms. Brown’s affidavitb. Call to verify with the labor nurse

d. Tell Ms. Brown that it is not relevant to the case

To establish damages for the jury, an effective tool is

a. Exhibit of the obstetrician’s progress notes from the cesarean sectionb. Photographs of the Brown family with the infantc. Video of how fetal heart monitoring is usedd. “Day in the Life” video of Baby Brown

Sample Questions: Medical Malpractice

Rationale: Demonstrative Evidence

“Demonstrative evidence allows the attorney to demonstrate certain issues to the jury in a way that facilitates their understanding of the complex concepts being presented.”

“[Day in the Life] films are powerful visual tools that show a typical day in the life of a catastrophically injured client who may be unable to sit through a trial due to their injuries."

Reboy, D. L. (2010). Trial preparation and the trial process. In A. Peterson & L. Kopishke (Eds), Legal nurse consulting: Principles (400). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

Zorn, E. & Lanz, M. (2010). Legal nurse consultant practice within a law firm. In A. Peterson & L. Kopishke (Eds), Legal nurse consulting: Practices (82). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

Rationale:

a. Exhibit of the obstetrician’s progress notes from the cesarean section

b. Photographs of the Brown family with the infant

c. Video of how fetal heart monitoring is used

Fifty-year-old Daria Simpson was admitted by a hospitalist to a local community hospital with shortness of breath and generalized swelling. Initial arterial blood gases indicated an abnormally low pO2, so oxygen was started. The hospitalist was not notified. During change of shift report, the evening nurse was not given the ABG results, which had been reported to the admitting nurse.

Sample Questions: Medical Malpractice

During the evening, Ms. Simpson was singing loudly, seemed confused, and pulled off her oxygen. She said she did not want oxygen. She was given a sedative, and oxygen was not resumed. During the night, Ms. Simpson deteriorated and was found unresponsive without respirations. The Rapid Response Team was called and successfully initiated CPR. She was transferred to the intensive care unit. She never regained consciousness and was transferred to a long-term care facility. Her family filed a law suit.

Sample Questions: Medical Malpractice

In preparing the evening nurse for her deposition, the defense LNC will instruct the nurse

a. “If you’re unsure, try to remember your nursing principles.”b. “If you don’t understand the question, ask the attorney to repeat it.”c. “Use a single authoritative source to support your answers.”d. “Bring an outline with you to the deposition.”

Sample Questions: Medical Malpractice

Rationale: Deposition Preparation

“…The LNC may become involved in the preparation of the attorney’s expert medical witness.”

“The witness should…ask the opposing counsel for clarification of unclear or complex questions.”

DiCecco, K. L. (2010). Discovery and disclosure. In A. Peterson & L. Kopishke (Eds), Legal nurse consulting: Principles (155). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

Aiken, T. D., & Warlick, D. T. (2010). The law standards of care, and liability issues. In A. Peterson & L. Kopishke (Eds), Legal nurse consulting: Principles (27). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

Rationale:

a. “If you’re unsure, try to remember your nursing principles.”

c. “Use a single authoritative source to support your answers.”

d. “Bring an outline with you to the deposition.”

For which reason may the admitting nurse be found liable?

a. Failing to communicate pertinent informationb. Allowing Mrs. Simpson up to the bathroom with assist and oxygenc. Initiating oxygen without a physician’s orderd. Leaving Mrs. Simpson alone in her bed

Sample Questions: Medical Malpractice

Rationale: Standards of Care

“…The basic premise is that HCPs have a duty to adhere to the applicable standard of care…They are required to exercise that degree of reasonable skill and care expected of a reasonable competent practitioner in similar circumstances.”

“Communication is crucial today because of the many different ‘players’ involved in the care and treatment of the patient. Communication lines must be open between the health care provider and other health care providers… Otherwise, the patient may suffer injuries…”

Miller, P. Z. (2010). Elements of triage: Effective case screening of medical malpractice claims. In A. Peterson & L. Kopishke (Eds), Legal nurse consulting: Principles (108). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

Aiken, T. D., & Warlick, D. T. (2010). The law standards of care, and liability issues. In A. Peterson & L. Kopishke (Eds), Legal nurse consulting: Principles (16). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

Rationale:

b. Allowing Mrs. Simpson up to the bathroom with assist and oxygen

c. Initiating oxygen without a physician’s orderd. Leaving Mrs. Simpson alone in her bed

Based on the facts of the case, the defense LNC can anticipate

a. Procurement of past medical recordsb. Deposition of laboratory technicians responsible for ABG resultsc. Preparation of trial exhibitsd. Settlement discussions

Sample Questions: Medical Malpractice

Rationale: Economics

Economics are a major incentive for good case triage for both sides. “If a potential case has low to moderate damages, but the projected number of expensive experts is high and analysis time-consuming, … a defense attorney [may be] spending more than can be saved for the insurer.”

Miller, P. Z. (2010). Elements of triage: Effective case screening of medical malpractice claims. In A. Peterson & L. Kopishke (Eds), Legal nurse consulting: Principles (114-115). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

Rationale:

a. Procurement of past medical recordsb. Deposition of laboratory technicians

responsible for ABG resultsc. Preparation of trial exhibits

Barb Barton was a passenger in a car that was hit, broadside, while passing through a green light. She was alert and oriented at the scene, although she was unsure if she’d lost consciousness immediately following impact. At the time of admission, she complained of blurred vision, headache, diplopia and fatigue. Documented injuries included rib fractures, a right hemothorax, hepatic and splenic lacerations requiring splenectomy.

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Sample Questions: Personal Injury

Prior to the accident, Ms. Barton had a history of alcohol and recreational drug use. Ms. Barton’s attorney files suit. During trial preparation, an IME confirms Ms. Barton suffered a mild head injury with sequelae. The diplopia resolves, but she continues to complain about headaches and fatigue. She has developed symptoms of depression.

Sample Questions: Personal Injury

Which of these activities will the plaintiff LNC perform first?

a. Screen the case for meritb. Obtain medical expertsc. Attend an independent medical examination with Ms. Bartond. A detailed medical record chronology

Sample Questions: Personal Injury

Rationale: Case screening

“The screening process begins when a client or the client’s representative contacts the firm about a potential case… The goal at this phase of the screening process is to obtain enough information to either reject the case right away or accept it for preliminary investigation.”

Zorn, E. & Lanz, M. (2010). Legal nurse consultant practice within a law firm. In A. Peterson & L. Kopishke (Eds), Legal nurse consulting: Practices (78). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

Rationale:

b. Obtain medical expertsc. Attend an independent medical examination

with Ms. Bartond. A detailed medical record chronology

To determine if Ms. Barton sustained a head injury, the plaintiff LNC should recommend the plaintiff be evaluated by a neurologist and

a. Notify the defense attorney team of her concernsb. Obtain Ms. Barton’s pre-incident medical recordsc. Amend the complaint to include a head injuryd. Write interrogatory questions to be addressed by Ms. Barton

Sample Questions: Personal Injury

Rationale: Medical Record Analysis

“…The LNC should closely scrutinize the plaintiff’s present and past medical records for clues to alternative causation from pre-existing health problems, prior injuries, medication side effects, and issues of noncompliance.”

DiCecco, K. L. (2010). Discovery and disclosure. In A. Peterson & L. Kopishke (Eds), Legal nurse consulting: Principles (152). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

Rationale:

a. Notify the defense attorney team of her concerns

c. Amend the complaint to include a head injuryd. Write interrogatory questions to be addressed by

Ms. Barton

The defense attorney will use Ms. Barton’s substance abuse history as a means to

a. Dispute the IME findingsb. Show breach of dutyc. Reduce liabilityd. Mitigate damages

Sample Questions: Personal Injury

Rationale: Damages

“The monetary value of any claim is based on the perceived value of the plaintiff’s injuries.”

Miller, P. Z. (2010). Elements of triage: Effective case screening of medical malpractice claims. In A. Peterson & L. Kopishke (Eds), Legal nurse consulting: Principles (110). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

Rationale:

a. Dispute the IME findingsb. Show breach of dutyc. Reduce liability

During an airline flight, Deborah Flower was hit in the head when a piece of equipment placed in the overhead compartment by a flight attendant fell. She suffered facial abrasions, neck pain, nausea and dizziness. Immediately upon landing, she was taken to an emergency department. Following examination, Deborah was released without any significant injuries found.

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Sample Questions: Personal Injury

Soon after the incident, she wrote a letter to the airline demanding monetary compensation for her injuries. The airline’s insurance company made the decision to pay Ms. Flower’s emergency bills. Ms. Flower contacted an attorney since her mild headaches persisted and she claimed to have developed memory problems since the accident.

Sample Questions: Personal Injury

For which reason is liability clear in this case?

a. The insurance company paid Ms. Flower’s billsb. Ms. Flower was compliant in all treatment recommendationsc. The flight attendant placed the equipment in the overhead compartmentd. There were witnesses to the incident

Sample Questions: Personal Injury

Rationale: Evaluation of Liability

“In a PI case, it is presumed the defendant in some way caused the injury . . . LNC record review may uncover information that supports the liability of the defense…”

Carroll, P. G. (2010). Personal injury and accident reconstruction. In A. Peterson & L. Kopishke (Eds), Legal nurse consulting: Principles (509). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

Rationale:

a. The insurance company paid Ms. Flower’s billsb. Ms. Flower was compliant in all treatment

recommendations

d. There were witnesses to the incident

Why might the defense LNC prepare deposition questions for Ms. Flower that includes inquiries about prior accidents?

a. To determine if alcohol or drug abuse was a factor in the accidentb. To identify an alternative cause to her symptomsc. To determine is she is accident-proned. To determine if she was responsible for the other accidents

Sample Questions: Personal Injury

Rationale: Evaluation of causation

The plaintiff’s past medical history should be scrutinized “for clues to alternative causation from pre-existing health problems, prior injuries, medication side effects, and issues of noncompliance.”

DiCecco, K. L. (2010). Discovery and disclosure. In A. Peterson & L. Kopishke (Eds), Legal nurse consulting: Principles (152). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

Rationale:

a. To determine if alcohol or drug abuse was a factor in the accident

c. To determine is she is accident-proned. To determine if she was responsible for the

other accidents

Several months after the accident, Ms. Flower is diagnosed with a brain tumor. The plaintiff LNC should realize

a. Ms. Flower will require an examination by a neurologist to confirm the diagnosisb. This will delay settlementc. The defense does not need to be informed of the brain tumord. The settlement in this case is likely diminished

Sample Questions: Personal Injury

Rationale: Evaluation of causation

“During the course of a case investigation, as new facts are developed, the LNC should rethink causation and how the new information fits the existing causation piece.”

Miller, P. Z. (2010). Elements of triage: Effective case screening of medical malpractice claims. In A. Peterson & L. Kopishke (Eds), Legal nurse consulting: Principles (111). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

Rationale:

a. Ms. Flower will require an examination by a neurologist to confirm the diagnosis

b. This will delay settlementc. The defense does not need to be informed of

the brain tumor

The Plaintiff LNC has the right to research problematic defibrillators related to the client's alleged injury because of the

a. FDA Medical Device Report (MDR)b. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)c. Consumer Expectation Testd. Keogh Plan

Sample Question: Product Liability

Rationale: FOIA Request

Excerpt from Core:“……adverse effects of drugs and devices are

reported in the postmarketing surveillance period……Under the FOIA, every citizen is entitled to request this information from the FDA…..LNCs may…..write to the FDA requesting information regarding ADR or MDR for a particular drug or device……….”

Source: • Windler, P. and Barnes, S. (2010). Pharmaceutical and

Medical Device Product Liability Litigation. In A. Peterson & L. Kopishke (Eds), Legal nurse consulting: Principles. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. (See excerpt on page 579.)

Toxic Tort Scenario

Ben Johnson worked and lived seasonally at a mill in rural northern Wisconsin for 10 years. As a result of his work responsibilities, Mr. Johnson was in direct contact with the cleaning solvent benzene. The living and working conditions at the mill would be considered rustic since there was no running water and Ben brought a supply of drinking water each week, had no means to shower and was unable to launder his clothes.

Toxic Tort Scenario

After ten years of employment, he was diagnosed with acute myelocytic leukemia. He received workers’ compensation benefits until his death eight months later. Following Mr. Johnson’s death, his family sought counsel to inquire about a potential suit against the owner of the mill.

Sample Questions: Toxic Tort

The LNC working with the plaintiff attorney should understand the mill owner cannot be sued because the Johnson case involvesa. A toxic tortb. Criminal liabilityc. Worker’s compensationd. Product liability

Rationale: Liability of Employer

Excerpt from Core (“no fault”)

“The leading principle of the workers’ compensation system is to eliminate fault as a basis of recovery for the injured worker. Under state’s workers’ compensation systems, the injured worker gives up the right to bring a tort claim against his employer, regardless of fault or negligence. In return, the worker is guaranteed medical and wage benefits by some method of insurance coverage…”

Source: • Hand, J. (2010). Worker’s Compensation Case Evaluation.

In A. Peterson & L. Kopishke (Eds), Legal nurse consulting: Practices. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. (See page 484)

Rationale: Exceptions to No-Fault Rule

Excerpt from Core:“……There are few exceptions to the no-fault

rule in workers’ compensation….”

Source: • Hand, J. (2010). Worker’s Compensation Case Evaluation. In A.

Peterson & L. Kopishke (Eds), Legal nurse consulting: Practices. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. (See page 488)

Rationale: Exceptions / Deliberate Intent

Deliberate Intent •Provides an avenue for pursuing further monetary compensation in instances where it can be proven that the employer had a deliberate intent to create an unsafe work environment (employer loses workers' compensation immunity and can be held liable for damages in a civil court action)

•Only a few states have this exception (e.g. WV)

Sample Questions: Toxic Tort

Because the exposure was outside the expert retained to determine if Mr. Johnson’s exposure exceeded the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of benzene will have difficulty measuring itsa. routeb. durationc. frequencyd. dose

Rationale: Difficulty Measuring Dose when Exposure Occurs

OutsideKey to answer – occurred outside

• Important to confirm exposure exists• Exposure measured by the route, duration, frequency• Expert needed to confirm dose

Excerpt from Core: • “The most important determination to be made during

the preparation of the case is the confirmation that an exposure occurred. Exposure is measured in terms of the route or means of exposure. Discovery will reveal facts as to whether the plaintiff sustained an exposure by inhalation, oral ingestion, or cutaneous absorption, including ophthalmic exposure.”

Rationale: Difficulty Measuring Dose when Exposure Occurs

OutsideSource: Cannon, M. & Ridgely, E. (2010). Evaluating Toxic Tort Cases. In A. Peterson & L. Kopishke (Eds), Legal nurse consulting: Principles. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. (See page 592)

Sample Questions: Toxic Tort

To determine the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of benzene, the plaintiff LNC should contact which of these agencies? a. Society of Toxicology (SOT).b. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).c. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). d. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Rationale: OSHA sets PELs for Chemicals

Excerpt from Core: • In 1989, OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health

Administration) set permissible exposure limits (PELs) for nearly 500 hazardous chemicals in the US.

Source: Cannon, M. & Ridgely, E. (2010). Evaluating Toxic Tort

Cases. In A. Peterson & L. Kopishke (Eds), Legal nurse consulting: Principles. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. (See page 594)

Sample Questions: Toxic Tort

What document should the plaintiff LNC obtain information about safe handling of benzene to share with the attorney?a. Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).b. Threshold limit value (TLV).c. Recommended exposure limit (REL).d. Hazards Communication Standard (HCS).

Rationale: MSDS & Product Labeling

Excerpt from Core: “Proper labeling and safe use guidelines are important in cases of chemical exposure. The material safety data sheet (MSDS) describes what is in a compound, any health hazards, fire hazards, use, storage, and disposal.”

Source: •Cannon, M. & Ridgely, E. (2010). Evaluating Toxic Tort Cases. In A. Peterson & L. Kopishke (Eds), Legal nurse consulting: Principles. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. (See page 594)

•For more info on Benzene litigation, see page 593

593

In which case would a life care planner attest to being a patient advocate?

a. When retained by the plaintiffb. When retained by the defensec. Alwaysd. Never

Sample Question: Life Care Planning

•Some might think “always” but “never” is the correct answer•As an expert witness, a LCP is expected to be objective & factual, regardless of hiring party•Purpose of a LCP is to present facts about disability related needs and associated costs, not to advocate for patient

Rationale: Life Care Planner as Advocate?

Excerpt from Core: “The life care plan should be …….written in an objective and consistent matter, in addition to being comprehensive, based on multidisciplinary data and adaptive to change.....”

Source: LaGasse, N. & McDaniel, H. (2010). The Life Care Planning Expert. In A. Peterson & L. Kopishke (Eds), Legal nurse consulting: Practices. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. (See page 274)

Rationale: Life Care Planner as Advocate?

The largest single factor affecting the value of a workers' compensation claim is the

a. Size of the damagesb. Strength of the medical evidencec. Degree of employer faultd. Number of prior employee claims

Sample Questions: Workers’ Compensation

Rationale: Largest Factor Affecting Value of WC Claim

Excerpt from Core: •“…..Since the largest single factor affecting the value of a WC claim is the strength of the medical evidence…..”Source: •Hand, J. (2010). Worker’s Compensation Case Evaluation. In A. Peterson & L. Kopishke (Eds), Legal nurse consulting: Practices. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. (See page 482)

The "but for the employment" principle in workers' compensation cases can be used to determine

a. Liabilityb. Damagesc. Compensabilityd. Duty

Sample Questions: Workers’ Compensation

Rationale: “But For” Principle

Excerpt from Core: “Sometimes the use of but for the employment can

guide determination of causation.” (e.g. accident occurs while running errands for employer)

Source: • Hand, J. (2010). Worker’s Compensation Case Evaluation.

In A. Peterson & L. Kopishke (Eds), Legal nurse consulting: Practices. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. (See page 490)

Risk Management Scenario

Ryan Cleary, 12 years old, had an unwitnessed fall from his scooter. He was found by his mother in a dazed condition. She immediately took him to the closest Emergency Department (ED). The Cleary’s were insured by an HMO to which the hospital was not a member. The Cleary’s waited for 3 hours in the waiting room while the hospital staff tried to reach the HMO to obtain permission to treat Ryan.

Risk Management Scenario

During the wait, Ryan became increasingly restless and irritable. Eventually, he vomited and lost consciousness. He was immediately seen by the ED physician, admitted to the neurosurgery service and underwent emergency surgery to evacuate a subdural hematoma. Ryan’s post-operative course was uneventful.

Sample Questions: Risk Management

An incident report was completed and the hospital risk manager began an investigation to determine if the hospital had violated the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active labor Act (EMTALA). The risk manager believed an EMTALA violation did occur.

Sample Questions: Risk Management

The Plaintiff LNC knows an electronic incident report

a. Needs to be distributed to all parties involved in the event after approval by the peer review committee.

b. Should be included in the medical recordc. Should be available at the ED nursing team

meetings for educational purposesd. Needs to be requested in a prescribed manner

to become discoverable

Rationale: Discoverability of Incident

Report

• Discoverability will vary by state, typically incident reports are protected by peer review statute

• See p. 137 – 139 (in Practices) for general info on incident reports. For discoverability of incident reports, see p. 146 – 147 (in Principles).

Source: • Curley, D. & Whidden, S. (2010). The LNC’s Role in Healthcare Risk

Management. In A. Peterson & L. Kopishke (Eds), Legal nurse consulting: Practices. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

• DiCecco, K. (2010). Discovery and Disclosure. In A. Peterson & L. Kopishke (Eds), Legal nurse consulting: Principles. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press

Sample Questions: Risk Management

Once the EMTALA violation is confirmed, the risk manager should immediately

a. Notify the hospital’s insurance claims adjuster to begin negotiations

b. Inform the hospital chief executive officer and legal counsel

c. Educate the ED’s medical and nursing staff to prevent future incidents.

d. Begin a root cause analysis of the event.

Rationale: Next Steps if EMTALA Violation is Confirmed

• Question is asking about next steps for risk manager

• Key is the word “immediately” in the question• All items may be needed eventually, but you

think about what might be necessary first

Sample Questions: Risk Management

Which of the following best describes the error made in the ED to form the basis of the EMTALA violation:

a. Failure to aggressively obtain HMO authorization for treatment

b. Failure to transport Ryan to a HMO approved hospital

c. Failure to obtain a pediatric consult to assess Ryan’s symptoms.

d. Failure to provide a medical screening when Ryan presented in the ED.

Rationale: MSE Required by EMTALA

Excerpt from Core:• “EMTALA mandates that any individual who

arrives at the ED seeking emergency care or is in active labor is entitled to receive a medical screening examination (MSE), within the hospital’s capability, to determine whether an emergency medical condition (EMC) exists.”

• Screening must occur before asking patient to produce financial forms or insurance information.

Source:Lacker, C. & Rollo, K. (2010). Ambulatory Care Settings. In A. Peterson & L. Kopishke (Eds), Legal nurse consulting: Practices. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. (See pages 406 – 407.)

QUESTIONS???

• Faculty• Julie Dickinson – julie.dickinson@aya.yale.edu• Karen Huff – karen.huff@steptoe-johnson.com

• For additional questions• Website: www.lnccertified.org or www.aalnc.org/lncc • Email address for LNCC Certification inquiries:

info@lnccertified.org