Healthcare Crime: Investigating Abuse, Fraud, and Homicide by Caregivers

Crime perpetrated by healthcare professionals is increasingly pervasive in today's hospitals and other healthcare settings. Patients, coworkers, and employers are vulnerable to exploitation, fraud, abuse, and even murder. Investigative journalist Kelly M. Pyrek interviews experts who provide accounts concerning the range of criminality lurking in the healthcare setting in Healthcare Crime: Investigating Abuse, Fraud, and Homicide by Caregivers .

Examines the root causes and the opportunities

The book begins by offering perspectives on how the stressors inherent in the healthcare profession can contribute to aberrant behavior by medical practitioners. It then examines breaches of patient privacy, which can easily occur in today's age of technology. Highlighting appalling cases of exploitation, the book also suggests guidelines to safeguard patient privacy.

Identifies the victims most at risk, and those who are their greatest threats

In a chapter on abuse and assault, the book cites psychological studies that explain the root causes of victimization. It highlights the patient populations most at risk: disabled, psychiatric, and elderly, and identifies the chief victimizers: physicians, psychiatrists, dentists, pediatricians, and nursing assistants and aides. The book also examines the types of financial fraud and theft that can be perpetrated against not only patients but also employers and government agencies, and provides expert insight on how to take preventative measures.

Discusses notorious serial murders in the medical profession

Providing accounts of well-known healthcare-related homicides and suspicious deaths, the book also presents insights from forensic and serial murder experts as to why these incidents occur, warning signs to watch out for, and how to conduct a proper investigation. The final chapter examines simple, straightforward strategies for improving the level of quality of care and safety provided by healthcare institutions. With greater accountability and oversight, patients can once again feel secure that their providers are embracing the maxim "Above all, do no harm."

Acknowledgments
Introduction

Healthcare Trends, Stressors, and Workplace Violence
Stressors of Healthcare and Workplace Violence
When Healthcare Professionals Are the Abused
When Healthcare Professionals Are the Abusers
Breaking Professional Boundaries
References

Patient Privacy and Exploitation
Exploitation via Photography
Exploitation via Cell Phone Photos
Exploitation via Internet Improprieties
Exploitation via Medical Records Snooping
The Impact of Patient Privacy Breaches
Is Patient Privacy a Fallacy?
References

Abuse and Assault
How Patients Are Abused by Healthcare Providers
Who Is Abused: Victimized Patient Populations
Disabled Patients
Psychiatric Patients
Elderly Patients
Who Are the Abusers: The Victimizers
Physicians
Psychiatrists
Dentists
Pediatricians
Nursing Assistants and Aides
Reporting, Regulating, and Prosecuting Abuse
References

Fraud and Theft
Extent and Impact of Medical Fraud
Healthcare's Complexity Encourages Fraud Perpetrators of Fraud Individuals Organized Criminal Groups Victims of Fraud Investigations and Antifraud Programs Crime and Punishment, Deterrence and Prosecution The Future and Recommendations for Fighting Fraud Four Faces of Fraud Fraud 1: White-Coat Crime: The Medical Criminals Fraud 2: Financial Abuse of Vulnerable Populations A Word about Home Healthcare Fraud 3: Medical Identity Theft Fraud 4: Substance Abuse and Drug Diversion Physicians Nurses Substitution Forgery Partial Administration References
Suspicious Death and Homicide
Healthcare Serial Killers: An Overview
The Medical Murder Hall of Shame
Physicians
Harold Shipman
Michael Swango
Nurses
Beverly Allitt
Richard Angelo
Charles Cullen
Robert Diaz
Vickie Dawn Jackson
Kristen Gilbert
Gwendolyn Graham and Catherine Wood
Genene Jones
Orville Lynn Majors
Filipina Narciso and Leonora Perez
Terri Rachals
Mary Rose Robaczynski
Kimberly Saenz
Richard Williams
Allied Healthcare Providers
Donald Harvey
Efren Saldivar
The Mechanics of Medical Murder
The Victims: Why They Are Marked for Murder
The Methods of Their Madness: How They Kill
The Methods of Their Madness: When They Kill
The Methods of Their Madness: Where They Kill
The Methods of Their Madness: Why They Kill
Factitious Disorders and Healthcare Professionals
Detection of Medical Murder: Suspicious Deaths and Mortality Patterns
The Importance of the Index of Suspicion
Red Flags Associated with Medical Murder
References

Investigations, Sanctions, and Discipline
Healthcare Crime Investigations in the Digital Age
Obstacles to Investigations
Prosecution of Medical Malfeasance: Moving from Criminal to Civil
Evasion of Detection by Health Professionals
Elder Justice Act
Nursing Home Transparency and Improvement Act
Patient Safety and Abuse Prevention Act
Discipline of Problematic Healthcare Professionals
Physician Discipline
Nurse Discipline
The Role of the Medical Boards
Sanctions and Legal Action
The Role of Healthcare Security
The Role of Healthcare Human Resources
What Is Happening with Medical Murder Now?
References

Prevention Strategies and the Future of Healthcare Crime
Strategy 1: Admit Healthcare System Failures
Strategy 2: Address the Shortcomings in the Healthcare System
Strategy 3: Investigate Problems in Healthcare Working Conditions
Strategy 4: Establish Accountability
Pressure from Within for Accountability
Pressure from Outside for Accountability
Strategy 5: Embrace Quality Improvement
Strategy 6: Reduce Risk for Intentional Harm
Strategy 7: Educate Healthcare Providers
Strategy 8: Address Healthcare Professionals' Stressors Strategy 9: Legislate Change Strategy 10: Address Major Anomalies Strategy 11: Remove Barriers to Reform Strategy 12: Create New Opportunities for Dialogue References Index