American Physicians Rewards Medical Practices For Excellence In Risk Management

EAST LANSING, Mich., Aug. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- American Physicians Assurance Corporation (American Physicians), a leading provider of medical malpractice insurance in the Midwest and New Mexico, announced that they are accepting entries for their second annual Excellence in Risk Management Award.

"We know that risk management is a key factor in reducing lawsuits and improving patient care," said Nancy Fitzgerald, American Physicians' Vice President of Risk Management. "We developed the contest to raise awareness of this fact and to reward medical practices that excel in this area."

The 2006 contest, which is open to medical practices insured by American Physicians, focuses on 11 key risk management systems that all medical offices should have in place. Contest entrants will describe and demonstrate the policies and procedures they have implemented in each of the 11 areas. Two winning practices will receive: a celebration dinner for their office staff at a fine restaurant in their area; an Excellence in Risk Management Award to display in their office; and recognition in American Physicians' policyholder newsletter, Best Practices, as well as other publications and the media. In addition, all entries that meet the criteria for having key risk management systems in place will receive recognition.

Two Ohio practices, Indian Creek Family Health Center and Partners in Family Practice, were presented with the 2005 Excellence in Risk Management Award. Both of these winners exhibited excellence in the critical areas of medical record documentation and tracking/follow-up systems. "Errors or omissions in these two areas can be very detrimental to patients and result in a lawsuit. It is imperative that all medical practices implement effective systems and policies to avoid such mishaps," said Fitzgerald.

Because risk management is a team effort, this contest is a great way for physicians and office managers to reward their staff. "We had a wonderful time at our dinner!" said Shannon Maddock, office manager at Indian Creek, a 2005 award winner. "It was an elegant event and a great way for our entire staff to celebrate this important accomplishment."

For more information, visit American Physicians' website at http://www.apassurance.com .

American Physicians Assurance Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Physicians Capital, Inc. (APCapital).

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CONTACT: Cathy Burke, APR, Director of Marketing Communications,+1-517-324-6776 (Media, Physicians and Office Staff), or Ann Storberg, VicePresident of Investor Relations, +1-517-324-6629 (Investors), both ofAmerican Physicians Capital, Inc.

Web site: http://www.apassurance.com/http://www.apcapital.com/