7 TYPES OF CASES CERTIFIED LEGAL NURSE CONSULTANTS® ARE QUALIFIED TO CONSULT ON

1. Medical and Nursing Malpractice Cases

(a) Cases involving professional negligence of health care providers, health care facilities or learning institutions.

(b) Cases involving the negligence of an individual or entity who makes decisions regarding access to care.

(i) Delay of appropriate treatment

(ii) Inappropriate use of cost control measures (i.e.) utilization review

(iii) Negligent case management

2. Personal Injury Cases

Non-professional negligence cases (P.I.)

Examples of cases: Dog bite, toxic mold, sports injuries, maritime injuries, railroad injuries, liquor liability, aviation accidents, theme park accidents, auto accidents, premises liability (e.g. slip and fall, sexual assault, physical assault).

3. Products Liability Cases

All cases related to Personal injury, death or property damage caused by the design, preparation, construction, manufacture, assembly, packaging, installation, testing, warnings, instructions, marketing, or labeling of any product.

Categories of products liabilities cases:

(a) Medical Devises

Examples: Hip implants, implantable defibrillators (AICD), pacemakers, silicone breast implants, ventilators, heart valves, heart stents, IV pumps, vaginal mesh.

(b) Drugs:

Examples: Vioxx®, Botox®, Celebrex®, birth control pills, hormone therapy.

Examples: Machines and equipment, children’s toys, baby equipment, cigarettes and lighters, motor vehicles and parts, food, household products, industrial products, consumer products (e.g.) appliances, vacuum cleaners.

4. Toxic Tort and Environmental Cases

Cases involving alleged damages and injuries caused by release of toxins into the environment.

Examples: Lead or Arsenic poisoning, sick building syndrome, waste management and disposal, pesticides, hazardous chemicals, radiation contamination, electromagnetic fields, waste products from manufacturing.

5. Workers’ Compensation and Workplace Related Injury Cases

Cases involving injuries that occur during or because of a course of employment. Claimant must prove that he cannot earn equivalent wages at same or other employment.

Examples: Equipment and machinery related, cumulative trauma disorders, injury caused by objects striking worker, back injuries, auto accidents.

6. Criminal Cases

Cases that involve any act that society has deemed contrary to public good. The act must be injurious to society to be a crime.

Examples: DUI or DWI, excessive use of force by law enforcement, possession of narcotics, Medicaid, Medicare fraud, psychiatric defense issues, victims of violent crime, criminal environmental cases, child, spouse or elderly abuse, sexual or physical abuse.

7. Any Case Involving Health, Illness or Injury

CLNC® are qualified to answer questions, research topics, and assist Attorney’s in developing medical related issues.

Examples: Family Law (custody battle), Probate (competency issues), school health, American Disabilities Act, employer-employee relationship, sexual harassment, right to die, social security benefit issues, physician family relationships, psychiatric therapist abuse or negligence, insurance issues, FMLA, wrongful adoption, health professional disciplinary actions, bad faith litigation against insurance companies who failed to pay or deny treatment

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Attorneys: Defense or Plaintiff.

Cases commonly worked on include:

1. Professional negligence.

2. Personal injury.

3. Products liability.

4. Toxic torts.

5. Workers compensation.

6. Medical case management.

7. Criminal.

8. Forensic nursing.

9. Expert witness.

10. Life care planning.

Law Firms:

CLNC®’s are hired by Law Firms to provide assistance to Attorneys in cases involving healthcare and other medical related issues.

Activities often include:

1. Screening medical malpractice cases as they come in for merit.

2. Summarizing and analyzing medical records.

3. Conducting medical literature searches.

4. Locating and communicating with expert/testifying witnesses.

5. Developing demonstrative evidence, preparing affidavits, complaints, deposition and interrogatory questions/answers.

Insurance Companies:

CLNC®’s are hired in the insurance industry to ensure that the health care services payable are according to the benefits of the insurance policy, provided in the most cost effective/efficient way possible and justifiable within that policy.

Accident, life and health insurance companies employ CLNC®’s to serve as:

1. Case Managers.

2. Utilization Review Specialists.

3. Medical Bill Auditors.

4. Policy Development Coordinators.

5. Claims Adjusters.

Healthcare Systems:

Large healthcare organizations may have their own in-house claims or legal department, which function very similarly to an Insurance Company. CLNC®’s may preform roles very similar to those in an insurance company. (See above)

Hospitals, Ambulatory Care Centers and Clinics:

CLNC®’s are usually employed in the Risk management, Quality improvement or Corporate compliance department. They are usually the primary investigators of potential or filed claims involving patients who were injured during the course of medical treatment.

Their roles may include:

1. Review medical records.

2. Conduct patient/employee interviews.

3. Prepare reports pertaining to adverse patient outcomes

4. Participate in facility liability exposure meetings.

5. Provide in-service education for staff.

6. Make recommendations regarding resolution of claim.

7. Be a part of the litigation team.

8. Prepare employees for trial.

9. Recommend experts.

10. Obtain medical evidence.

11. Work with outside counsel.

12. Ensuring facility compliance with State and Federal regulations/standards.

13. Information management.

14. Healthcare privacy issues.

15. Identification/prevention of criminal/unethical activity within organization.

Government Agencies:

CLNC®’s may work in a variety of government Agency’s including:

1. Attorney General’s office.

2. Department of Justice.

3. State health Department.

4. State health professionals licensing boards.

5. Food and Drug Administration.

6. Department of corrections.

In this Role CLNC®’s may:

1. Assist in defense of state Agencies (e.g.) a. Medical schools.

b. College infirmaries

c. Prison Healthcare system

2. Write healthcare policies.

3. Write administrative rules based on statutes.

4. Work as administrators.

5. Be involved in compensation programs for injured citizens.

6. Assist in analysis/investigation of cases involving compensation for injury.

7. Investigate for government funded health care fraud cases.

Federal or State Patient Safety Organizations:

CLNC®’s role within the patient safety organization is to:

1. Analyze patient safety reports.

2. Aggregate data to identify trends in patient safety events.

3. Develop educational material to decrease recurrence of events that result in patient harm.

CLNC®’s are uniquely qualified for this type of work due to;

1. Their clinical training.

2. Risk management and quality improvement principles.

3. Knowledge of patient safety regulatory requirements, at both State and Federal levels.

Private Corporations, Business and Industry:

CLNC®’s work with Attorneys and corporate health care associates on:

1. Workers compensation treatment.

2. Cost

3. Litigation issues.

4. Quality.

5. Risk identification and management.

6. Develop policies/programs for employee health issues, toxic exposure and loss prevention.

7. Auditing.

8. Product liability cases.

9. Medical policy coordination.

10. Provide information to support insurance coverage decisions.

In all cases CLNC®’s may work independently or be hired as an employee of the company.

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…. A CLNC® can bridge the gap in Attorneys knowledge case by case. Whilst the Attorney is the legal expert the CLNC® is the expert on medical, nursing and health care systems. CLNC®'s screen cases for merit, review medical records, identify standards of care, prepare reports and summaries on the extent of injury of illness, assist with discovery, create demonstrative evidence and locate or act as expert witnesses. The CLNC® acts as a specialized member of the litigation team whose professional contributions are often essential to achieving a fair and just outcome for all parties concerned.

A little History:

As far back as the 1970’s Nurses were staring to get compensated for their expertise when consulting on legal cases that involved medical records. In the early 1980’s nurses who consulted in legal cases were primarily called “nurse paralegals”. Then in 1982 Vickie Milazzo created the new nursing specialty “Legal Nurse Consulting” and in 1984 she founded the first certification for Legal Nurse Consultants®.

The specialty continues to grow and expand, Legal Nurse Consultants® are now routinely used in medical related cases by Attorneys across the country, their skill, expertise and knowledge are irreplaceable within the legal team.

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RACHEL PATTERSON, RN, CLNC

RMP Legal Nurse Consulting LLC

P.O. Box 426

Wauna, WA 98395

Phone: (303) 981 5310

rachel@rmplegal.net

CERTIFIED LEGAL NURSE CONSULTING® OBJECTIVES:

Screen cases for merit
Define standards of care
Summarize, translate and interpret medical records
Literature search
Locate expert witnesses
Comprehensive written reports.

…many other CLNC® services available.

other services available

CLNC® QUALIFICATIONS:

· 33 YEARS Nursing experience.

· Strong Medical-Surgical background including, Hopsice, Gastroenterology/Endoscopy Ortho-Trauma, Oncology and Pediatric GI.

· Working with multiple Electronic Medical Records since 1997.

· Experience includes in-patient, out-patient, clinic, free standing units and independent care facilities across the United States.

· Remain clinically active.

EXPERIENCE:

10/09- PRESENT FRANCISCAN HOSPICE HOUSE, Tacoma, WA

HOSPICE PATIENT CARE COORDINATOR

Managing and providing care for terminal patients, in a twenty bedded residential facility. Under the guidance of a medical director, in a team approach providing, pain management, symptom control for patients, family support and bereavement for Cancer patients and all other terminal diagnosis.

05/08-08/09 TACOMA DIGESTIVE DISEASE CENTER, Tacoma, WA

CLINICAL CHARGE NURSE FOR THE ENDOSCOPY CENTERS

Managing the care of patients in 2 Endoscopy sites, coordinating staff, schedules, policies, procedures, education of staff, medications, unit flow and cooperation with 11 Gastroenterologists. Working with clinical Nurse Manager to keep Endoscopy and office facilities within State and Federal Guidelines.

10/05-11/07 UNITED COUNTRY PREMIER BROKERS, Salida, CO

REAL ESTATE BROKER

Worked as a Real Estate Broker in a 10 person company working as a team providing Real Estate needs for Residential and Commercial Clients.

04/05-11/06 CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, Denver, CO.

CLINIC NURSE IN G.I. AND HEPATO-BILIARY DEPARTMENT.

Caring for patients aging from birth to 18 with acute and chronic conditions. Working with Physicians and patients in clinics, assessment of illness, needs and conditions. Follow up with patients/parents by phone, discussing results and treatments with patients and families. Teaching treatments and procedures to be done at home and preparing patients and parents for G.I. procedures and surgery. Care of patients pre and post liver and small bowel transplants.

04/04-04/05 ST ANTHONY'S CENTRAL HOSPITAL, Denver, CO.

G.I. LAB CHARGE NURSE

Caring for the GI patients, both in and outpatients, managing, the flow of the daily Schedule, providing acute care for patients in all hospital intensive care units, the ER and communicating with medical staff, throughout the hospital.

03/03-04/04 ST. ANTHONY'S CENTRAL HOSPITAL, Denver, CO.

NIGHT CHARGE NURSE, TRAUMA, ONCOLOGY, AND POST SURGERY.

Managing the care of 29 acutely ill patients, coordinating, the staff, admissions and assignments for the 12 hour shift.

8/98 -03/2003 PORTER HOSPICE, Denver, CO..

HOSPICE STAFF NURSE

Managing and providing care for terminal patients, in an eight bedded residential facility. Under the guidance of a medical director, independently providing, pain management, symptom control for patients, family support and bereavement for Cancer patients and all other terminal diagnosis.

11/97 - 5/01 SOUTH DENVER ENDOSCOPY, Englewood, CO.

ENDOSCOPY STAFF NURSE.

Providing outpatient care of G.I. patients, including conscious sedation, assisting Physicians, and care of liver biopsy and paracentesis patients.

11/97 - 11/98 SWEDISH MEDICAL CENTER, Englewood, CO.

PRN STAFF NURSE

Providing care of patients throughout the hospital, including Oncology, Family care, Medical and Surgical Services, Gynecology and Multi-Trauma Units.

10/96 - 11/97 SWEDISH MEDICAL CENTER, Englewood, CO.

CHARGE NURSE

Providing coordination of staff and patients on a 30 bedded Transitional Care Unit.

10/95-5/96 ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL CENTER, Paterson, N.J.

CASE MANAGER ORTHO-TRAUMA UNIT

Providing patient care management and developing critical pathways for Ortho-Trauma patients on a 30 bedded unit. Coordinating with Physicians to monitor length of stay, appropriateness and effectiveness of care.

05/92 - 10/95 ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL CENTER, Paterson, N.J.

ENDOSCOPY STAFF NURSE

Providing patient care in the Endoscopy suite and the Critical Care units : (M.I.C.U, S.I.C.U, C.C.U, O.H.R.R, O.R, E.R, P.I.C.U, N.I.C.U.) during endoscopy procedures including cardiac monitoring of patients undergoing conscious sedation.

11/90 - 05/92 ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL CENTER, Paterson, N.J.

PRIMARY CARE NURSE

Providing basic primary care to Orthopedic and Trauma patients within the Orthopedic Unit.

06/88 - 11/90 CAMP LINCOLN FOR BOYS, Brainard, MN.

HEAD NURSE

Providing initial emergency medical care and administering acute first aid to 350+ Campers/Counselors. Other responsibilities included: routine screening of all campers and Counselors, running the first aid clinic daily, maintaining medical records, administering of all medications and teaching first aid.

01/88 - 5/88 MIDDLESEX HOSPITAL, London, England.

PRIMARY CLINICAL NURSE

Providing primary clinical nursing care to Hepato-Biliary , Gastric and Colo-Rectal Surgical patients on the Acute Male Surgical Unit, primarily for cancer patients.

EDUCATION:

07/83 - 01/88 BLOOMSBURY SCHOOL OF NURSING, Middlesex Hospital, London, England

REGISTERED GENERAL NURSE

Degree: January 1988.

09/80 - 06/82 PETER SYMONDS SIXTH FORM COLLEGE, Winchester, England.

A LEVEL CERTIFICATIONS IN BIOLOGY, CHEMISTRY & PHYSICS.

Degree: June 1982

09/75 - -06/80 CODSALL COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL, Codsall, England.

O LEVEL CERTIFICATIONS.

Degree: June 1980

CERTIFICATIONS:

Certified Legal Nurse Consultant (CLNC®)- Vickie Milazzo Institute, a division of Medical-Legal Consulting Institute, Inc

MEMBERSHIPS:

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE,

Washington/Colorado chapter

09/98 -present

SOCIETY OF GASTROENTEROLOGY NURSES AND ASSOCIATES,

Pacific NW/Rocky Mountain Chapter/ New Jersey Chapter

06/92-present

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CERTIFIED LEGAL NURSE CONSULTANTS:

05/14-present