APALM PRESENTS: A Case to Remember | Finishing Strong With Safe Dispositions
November 05, 2025
The first in APALM’s case study series, this event equips PA students, practicing PAs, educators, and healthcare leaders with essential skills in clinical practice, risk management, and healthcare law.
Join us for the first event in APALM’s groundbreaking case study series!
Designed to empower PA students, practicing PAs, healthcare leaders, and educators. This session delivers critical insights into clinical risk mitigation and legal medicine — the cornerstone of ethical, regulatory, and healthcare law training in PA education.
THIS EVENT IS FREE FOR APALM MEMBERS.
Accreditation Statement:
✅ This activity has been reviewed by the American Academy of Physician Associates Review Panel and is compliant with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1.5 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid from 11/5/2025 to 11/5/2026. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation. AAPA reference number: CME-2014570.
If you are an existing member, kindly use the following link to proceed with your registration.
WE ARE APALM.
APALM is a constituent organization of the AAPA and the foremost authority on behalf of the PA profession within legal medicine, healthcare law, safety, quality, and clinical risk mitigation. We are your SMEs and educational partners on the standard of care, medicolegal proceedings, patient quality & safety, patient communication, healthcare ethics, and healthcare fraud. We collaborate with academic programs, healthcare systems, attorneys, clinical risk managers, PA students, and PA professionals to elevate care delivery.
MEET THE SPEAKERS.
Dr. Melanie Cottone-Zarra
DMSc, PA-C
- Cardiothoracic and Transplant Surgery PA
- Assistant Program Director, APP Fellowships, Tampa General Hospital
- Clinical Associate Professor, South University
Michael A. Sharma
MPAS, PA-C
- Emergency Medicine and Urgent Care PA, UT Southwestern / Parkland Memorial Hospital
- Treasurer, Academy of PAs in Legal Medicine
- Podcast Co-Host, The 2 View: EM PAs & NPs
- Adjunct Professor, Austin College
Dr. Marilyn Suri
DMSc, MPA, PA-C
- Pulmonary and Critical Care PA
- Medical Professional Legal Consultant
- Adjunct Professor, South University
- South Regional Director, Florida Academy of PAs
- CME Director, Academy of PAs in Legal Medicine
KEY DISCUSSION POINTS
Dr. Melanie Cottone-Zarra
Apply safe dispositioning to surgical timing: operate now vs. delay vs. defer.
- Translate tissue readiness + culprit anatomy into defensible timing decisions and documentation.
- Navigate multidisciplinary disposition when discharge safety is uncertain.
- Use patient-centered risk communication that reduces complaints and protects the team.
Michael A. Sharma
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Describe when disposition planning begins.
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Articulate clinical reasoning in the decision-making process of patient disposition.
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Describe the process of rapid assessment and triage to determine the severity of a patient’s condition and prioritize care accordingly.
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Discuss the role of shared decision making with both patients and other health care professionals in making disposition decisions.
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Identify common contributors to disposition errors, such as diagnostic error, communication error, and ED crowding.
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Develop strategies to mitigate disposition errors.
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Appraise disposition plans presented.
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Discuss the value of appropriate disposition planning.
Marilyn Suri
- Understanding the purpose and differences between Peer Review and RCA.
- The legal framework: HCQIA, Joint Commission standards, and state protections.
- How Peer Review supports professional accountability and continuous improvement.
- How RCA promotes system-based solutions instead of individual blame.
- Real-world case examples linking quality, safety, and legal protection.
- Strategies to build a non-punitive culture of safety and provider empowerment.