When working on a medical issue or claim, one of the most important elements is proper documentation. With the right documents to support a case, refuting the claim will prove difficult. Compiling the documents that can produce a quality timeline and substantive information is imperative -- as is properly interpreting the information.
A certified legal nurse consultant is trained to go through the reams of documentation and make sense of it all. It's a challenging and tedious task, but a qualified Certified Legal Nurse (CLNC) can produce powerful results.
Between The Lines - Every Page Counts
What should be expected when documentation is handed off to the CLN? In short, a complete analysis and a clear interpretation. Whether the claim involves surgery, a medication error, or a determination of a patient’s mental clarity the CLNC needs to review each and every sheet of paper
The paper trail
A clear and defined statement -- Of the assignment that the CLNC is expected to undertake.
No skimming -- The expectation should be that every page will be read. The devil is in the details and the one page that gets skipped might be the one with the crucial clue.
No Jigsaw Puzzles -- The winning combination of witnesses, testimony and documents won't work if the documentation only offers fragmented information.
Take Notes -- This is crucial when dealing with a large volume of documents where critical facts may be peppered throughout the paperwork. These key points need to be accessible in an instant.
Build A Clear Path -- Interpreting medical jargon clearly and concisely creates a strong visual timeline of the patient's case, which in turn makes a strong presentation in court.
Make it easy to read and clear -- Medical jargon should not be interpreted to create even more jargon. When a CLNC's report comes back it should be easy to read, clear and to the point.
Take a stand -- Because the CLNC was hired to interpret documentation, an opinion based on it should be clear and straightforward. It's the CLNC's obligation to give a professional assessment is based on the dissected documentation. (My First Case Generated Courage, Passion, Self-Confidence... and Two More Cases by Lawrence H. Frace, RN, CLNC)
