Conventus - New Jersey Medical Professional Liability Insurance Company Defending Good Medicine Against Medical Malpractice

Conventus Endorses Web-Based Risk Management and Patient Satisfaction Tool
(Woodbridge, N.J.) June 30, 2005 – Conventus Inter-Insurance Exchange is pleased to announce that it has formed a strategic partnership with Rightfield Solutions, the producers of Emmi™. Emmi is Expectation Management and Medical Information, a web-based risk reduction and patient expectation management tool that combines clinical and legal best practices with engaging and easy-to-understand patient education programs. Under terms of the agreement, Conventus policyholders will be able to obtain Emmi at a discount.

"Research shows us that a lot of lawsuits filed today are not about medical negligence, they are about patients who were dissatisfied with outcomes due to poor expectation management,” said Susan Lieberman , Assistant Vice President and Director of Risk Management for Conventus . “Even though many of these lawsuits don’t make it to trial, they cost our physicians a lot in terms of money, time and reputation. We selected Emmi because we are committed to helping our physicians find solutions that will make a real difference in their daily practices by increasing patient satisfaction, reducing risk and ultimately saving money.”

Emmi programs are simple to use, conversational in tone and have been designed using easy-to-understand language and compelling, engaging graphics. Patients that are scheduled for a medical procedure receive a confidential access code from their physician. They use this code to access their Emmi program from their home, office or other secure Internet location. Programs can be viewed multiple times and with family members or other caregivers, thus helping to extend the circle of knowledge about the procedure.

There are currently Emmi programs available for a wide range of surgical and medical procedures, including Orthopedic, Cardiovascular, Obstetrics/Gynecology, General Surgery, Plastic/Cosmetic Surgery, Gastroenterology, as well as many others. The most unique feature of Emmi is the fact that it documents each patient’s response while he/she is learning what to expect before, during and after surgery, along with risks, benefits and alternatives. This captured information becomes part of the patient’s permanent medical record.

Through this capability, Emmi programs can also help physicians address the complex challenges of informed consent. It is estimated that 40 to 60 percent of all malpractice cases allege some type of improper informed consent. The Emmi program can assist in decreasing the likelihood of these claims by educating the patient and setting realistic expectations. However, in the event a claim occurs, Emmi will be able to assist in the defense through more in-depth documentation of the informed consent process.

To provide members with more information about Emmi, Rightfield Solutions and Conventus have co-produced a website containing specific information about this offer at http://www.rightfield.net/cnv928.html . Additionally, members can contact the Conventus Risk Management Department at 877-444-0484 ext. 426 to obtain an access code to view a complete on-line demonstration.

About Conventus Inter-Insurance Exchange
Conventus Inter-Insurance Exchange is a not-for-profit, non-assessable reciprocal insurance exchange providing medical professional liability insurance in New Jersey. Conventus is the only company in the state that is both owned and governed by its members, but is managed by experts in the property and casualty insurance industry. The management team at NIP Management Company, the Exchange’s Attorney-in-Fact, has extensive experience in medical professional liability insurance and in managing underwriting results for companies like Conventus.