|
|
|
|
Vol. 1 No. 4, May 2004
|
Industry Focus:
Darwin's Health Care Risk Management Expertise
|
|
The best risk management programs begin well before an insurance policy is bound. That’s why Darwin engages in pre-underwriting risk assessments and loss control audits as integral components of our health care underwriting process. The purpose of these pre-underwriting risk assessments and loss control audits is to develop appropriate risk management and risk transfer mechanisms that will guide the underwriting process and risk management efforts following policy inception.
|
This approach ensures that Darwin fully understands its customers and their operations. Equally important, it allows a potential client the opportunity to see the scope of commitment and service that Darwin brings to the partnership with its insureds. Depending on the complexity of the client’s operations, these assessments are completed either via conference call between Darwin’s in-house risk management professionals and key staff on the client side, or through an on-site risk assessment conducted at the client’s facility.
|
The Tools to Support Their Trade
|
Darwin’s risk management resources and services are customized to each policyholder's current needs and integrate within its existing structures, systems, and staff without creating added pressure on the insured.
Immediately after insurance coverage is bound, the client’s dedicated risk management consultant schedules a risk management installation meeting. During this meeting a risk management service plan for the policy year is jointly developed. Services may include but are not limited to any combination of the following components:
|
Clinical Risk Assessments
Darwin is focused on helping its health care clients identify areas of potential liability and provide risk reduction strategies. Our risk management expertise allows us to closely examine an organization’s existing risk management program and clinical practices, identify potential gaps, and determine areas in need of improvement.
|
Education Programs
A fundamental component of any risk management program is building awareness through education. Darwin provides a broad range of educational options to support and augment our client’s existing risk management initiatives. Issues that the client identifies, combined with Darwin’s analysis of areas of exposure and educational needs through clinical risk assessments, claims history, and emerging trends in liability, determine pertinent topics that are of significant value to the client’s staff. Education programs are jointly developed and stress the importance of each staff member playing an integral part in the organization’s risk management initiatives.
|
Policy and Procedure Development
Darwin provides its health care clients with assistance when drafting new policies and procedures, as well as updating existing policies and procedures. Access to an extensive library of resources and samples is available.
Loss / Claim Tracking
Darwin’s risk management team will collaborate with claim analysts on staff, as well as a client’s internal professionals, to identify causes and trends of incidents and occurrences. These in-depth analyses are then used to customize loss control services.
|
Risk Management Research and Publications
Darwin provides access to industry trends and news through subscriptions to risk management publications produced by experts in the area of health law, risk management, and liability insurance. We also assist clients with research on risk management issues and medical standards of care.
|
Risk Management Hotline
Darwin’s risk management hotline provides clients with direct and immediate access to risk management information when the need arises, even beyond traditional business hours. The hotline is dedicated solely to Darwin’s medical malpractice clients.
|
Sue Chmieleski leads Darwin’s risk management practice. She holds a Connecticut Nursing License, is a board-certified Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, and a Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management. Sue is licensed to practice law in Connecticut and a member of the Connecticut and Hartford County Bar Associations. She is also the Vice Chair of the Litigation and Risk Management Committee of the Health Law Section of the American Bar Association.
|
Sue can be reached via email at schmieleski@darwinpro.com.
Contact Lisa Calafiore for more information at 860-507-1042 or email lcalafiore@darwinpro.com.
|
|
|
NEXT: Compliance Responsibilities, Post & Schell Article >>
|
<< HOME: Digital DNA No. 4, May 2004
|
LEGAL NOTICE: Darwin Professional Underwriters, Inc. (Darwin) recognizes that electronic and Internet communications are an important element in transacting business and strengthening business relationships with our producers, partners, and policyholders. The "CAN-SPAM Act of 2003" requires, among other things, that commercial electronic mail messages, the primary purpose of which is the commercial advertisement or promotion of a commercial product or service, comply with certain requirements. The requirements include identifying these messages as solicitations and giving the recipient the opportunity to "unsubscribe."
|
Darwin uses electronic communications for various purposes, including educational, transactional, informational, and promotional, and to facilitate or solicit business. Until the "primary purpose" language of the "CAN-SPAM Act of 2003" is clarified, Darwin is taking a conservative view and advising that all our email and electronic communications could be viewed as an advertisement or solicitation. If you wish to unsubscribe, please follow the unsubscribe links provided in this message.
|
:: Privacy Policy :: Contact ::
:: Copyright 2003-2004, Darwin Professional Underwriters, Inc. ::
|
 |
