LANCASTER, PA, June 7, 2007 – James W. Saxton, Esq. and Maggie M. Finkelstein, Esq., co-authored a chapter with noted gastroenterologist Dr. Peter B. Cotton of the Medical University of South Carolina Digestive Disease Center, in Minimizing Endoscopic Complications by the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Clinics of North America (2007).

In this chapter, “Avoiding Medicolegal Complications,” the authors address the reality of potential unforeseen complications following endoscopic procedures, as well as the potential for eventual lawsuits, but assert that claims result more often from service lapses and communication failures rather than true malpractice.

The authors contend that most claims are preventable or can be defended through professional behavior and appropriate strategies for risk minimization and event management. Further, the authors discuss how good communication, documentation and event management can limit the likelihood of lawsuits.

This chapter is for gastroenterologists and other physicians looking to take control of their liability exposure and improve their practices’ bottom line – all the while increasing their patients’ satisfaction.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS
James W. Saxton, Esq. chairs Stevens & Lee’s Health Care Litigation Group and co-chairs its Health Care Department. He lectures frequently and is an invited speaker across the country on health care issues, including liability reduction and risk management. He presents to nationally prominent health care organizations and is an active trial lawyer, representing providers in state and federal court and administrative proceedings. His practice includes litigation, licensing and medical staff issues. He uses his experience as a litigator to advise  hospitals, medical groups and retirement communities throughout the United States in connection with understanding and reducing their professional liability risk.

In addition, Mr. Saxton develops risk reduction strategies for health care providers and organizations nationwide and has created innovative strategies and educational programs to support them. This includes the creation of complete customized loss control programs and event management systems for self-insured organizations and captive insurance groups. Mr. Saxton has published more than 200 articles, several handbooks and four textbooks including most recently, Five-Star Customer Service: A Step-by-Step Guide for Physician Practices.

Maggie M. Finkelstein, Esq. assists health care clients in the areas of risk management and loss control. She works collaboratively with physicians to minimize their risk exposure and prepares written loss control materials such as forms, brochures and presentations to assist them. She concentrates her practice on risk management and loss control, as well as health care litigation.

Dr. Peter B. Cotton launched the Digestive Disease Center at the Medical University of South Carolina, which is consistently ranked in the top 15 in the country by US News and World Report. He is a former Professor of Medicine and Chief of Endoscopy at Duke University, has been active in many national and international organizations, and has given invited lectures and demonstrations in more than 50 countries. Dr. Cotton has published more than 850 pieces, including more than 250 original contributions in peer reviewed journals and eight books. “Practical Gastrointestinal Endoscopy” (co-authored by Christopher Williams) is the standard teaching text, currently in its 5^th Edition and has been translated into eight languages. He has been on the editorial boards of 12 gastroenterology journals and was the first international editor of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. In recent years he has become involved in quality issues in endoscopy, including objective assessment of performance, benchmarking and report cards.

ABOUT STEVENS & LEE
Stevens & Lee is a professional services firm of approximately 185 lawyers and more than 40 business and consulting professionals. The firm represents clients throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and across the country from 14 offices in the following locations: Reading, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Philadelphia, Valley Forge, the Lehigh Valley, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre and Williamsport, Pennsylvania; Princeton and Cherry Hill, New Jersey; Wilmington, Delaware; and New York City. The firm also maintains an office dedicated to the captive insurance industry in Charleston, South Carolina.