682 – The Legal Nurse’s Guide to LTACH Records and Case Reviews – Melissa Pickett
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS | http://podcast.legalnursebusiness.com/subscribe-to-podcast/
Welcome to another insightful episode of the Legal Nurse Podcast! In today’s conversation, Pat Iyer sits down with Melissa Pickett, an experienced nurse and legal nurse consultant who leads Peaceful Views Consulting. Together, they pull back the curtain on the often-misunderstood world of long-term acute care hospitals commonly referred to as LTACHs or LTACs. Melissa Pickett shares her deep expertise in managing highly complex patient populations, from those on ventilators to individuals recovering from sepsis or major trauma, shining a light on the unique challenges and potential litigation risks found within these specialized facilities.
Throughout the episode, Pat Iyer and Melissa Pickett explore the factors that make LTACHs distinct from other healthcare settings, including the intricacies of patient transitions, the roles of interdisciplinary teams, and the complexities of medical recordkeeping. They explore real-world scenarios that legal nurse consultants may encounter, like fragmented documentation, infection control concerns, and questions around the standard of care, while also offering practical strategies for uncovering missing records and advocating for families managing adverse outcomes.
Whether you’re an LNC, attorney, or healthcare provider, this episode is packed with invaluable tips for identifying LTACH cases, managing documentation hurdles, and understanding the kind of critical thinking and persistence required to support patient safety and successful case outcomes. Get ready to gain a clear understanding of the LTACH landscape and walk away prepared to tackle even the most complicated cases.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode on The Legal Nurse’s Guide to LTACH Records and Case Reviews
Here are 5 discussion questions answered in the podcast:
- What makes long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs) uniquely vulnerable to litigation?
- How can legal nurse consultants identify when a patient has been treated at an LTACH, especially amid fragmented records?
- What common complications in LTACHs most frequently draw the attention of plaintiff attorneys?
- Why do gaps in medical record documentation occur so often in LTACH cases, and how can LNCs and attorneys address them?
- What are the ethical and legal consequences when healthcare facilities fail to provide complete medical records in complex cases?
Listen to our podcasts or watch them using our app, Expert.edu, available at legalnursebusiness.com/expertedu.
Get the free transcripts and also learn about other ways to subscribe. Go to Legal Nurse Podcasts subscribe options by using this short link: http://LNC.tips/subscribepodcast.
Grow Your LNC Business
13th LNC SUCCESS® ONLINE CONFERENCE
April 23, 24, and 25, 2026
Skills, Strategy, Results
Gain deposition mastery, marketing confidence, and clinical–legal insight from industry leaders you can apply to your next case and client call.
Build a Practice Attorneys Remember
Learn exactly how to showcase expertise, attract referrals, and turn complex medical records into clear, defensible stories that win trust.
Learn From the Best—Then Ask Them Anything
Get step-by-step training, live “hot seat” solutions, and exclusive VIP Q&A time with Pat Iyer to accelerate your LNC growth.
Your Presenter for The Legal Nurse’s Guide to LTACH Records and Case Reviews
Pat Iyer
Pat Iyer is a seasoned legal nurse consultant and business coach, renowned for her expertise in guiding new legal nurse consultants to successfully break into the field. As the host of the Legal Nurse Podcast, Pat addresses critical challenges that legal nurse consultants face, such as difficulty in landing clients and a lack of response from attorneys. Through her insightful episodes, she emphasizes the importance of effectively communicating one’s value to potential clients. With a wealth of experience, Pat has empowered countless consultants to overcome these hurdles and thrive in their careers.
Connect with Pat Iyer by email at patiyer@legalnusebusiness.com
Melissa Pickett
Nurse, entrepreneur, and sun chaser — Melissa Pickett, RN, BSW, LNC, is the founder of Peaceful Views, where she helps attorneys gain clarity in complex medical cases. With more than 14 years of nursing experience in oncology, interventional radiology, long-term acute care, and cardiac critical care, she brings deep clinical insight to identifying deviations from standards of care and simplifying medical details for the courtroom. Melissa leads a team of skilled subcontractors whose diverse expertise ensures attorneys have the right nurse for the right case. When she’s not on this podcast, she’s likely paddleboarding at sunrise, exploring new trails, or recharging in nature with her signature “solar-powered” energy.
Connect with Pat Iyer by email at melpickett@peacefulviewsconsulting.com