Patient care decisions and employer liability

The foregoing discussion has raised numerous issues respecting potential liability for home health care providers resulting from utilization management entity activities and related provider, employee, and subcontractor decisions made in the patient care process. Knowledge of these issues without corrective action by providers is fraught with risk. The development and maintenance of written policies and procedures along the lines suggested will not only minimize employer and employee liability arising from these activities, but will also facilitate effective patient advocacy.