Nonprofit Does Not Mean Non-sued

It is pretty much agreed that many of the best nursing homes are nonprofits (according to this study in Connecticut).

But, a new study reminds us and more importantly, nonprofit boards, that providing qualilty care does not mean the nonprofit won't be sued.

According to a recent Harvard Medical School analysis cited in the New York Times, there is at best a weak correlation between being sued and providing high quality care.  According to the report, “For the worst facilities, their litigation risk was about 47 percent in a particular year,” he said — meaning they faced a 47 percent chance of a claim being filed. “In the best, it was about 40 percent.”

So, nonprofit boards beware!  Yes, you will likely provide the highest quality of care among your counterparts.  That you do, however should not give much comfort.  For that, make sure you have good insurance.  As the threat of litigation is not a particularly strong motivator to provide quality care, other methods have been developed, or are being developed.  As a nonprofit, highly motivated to provide top quality care, it also is important to stay attuned to these alternative methods to ensure you continue to meet the bar, and are rewarded for your mission-based service.