Medical malpractice claim risk in emergency departments

Medical Malpractice Crisis Medical Malpractice Crisis

Stability, Not Crisis: Medical Malpractice Claim Outcomes in Texas, 1988-2002

Using a comprehensive database of closed claims maintained by the Texas Department of Insurance since 1988, this study provides evidence on a range of issues involving medical malpractice litigation, including claim frequency, payout frequency, payment amounts, defense costs, and jury verdicts. The data present a picture of remarkable stability in most respects and slow, predictable change in o...

Malpractice as a Perceived Barrier to Specialist Referral for Physicians Practicing in Rural Emergency Departments

Background: Multiple barriers exist for referral of emergency department (ED) patients to specialists, particularly in rural communities; however, little is known about malpractice as a potential barrier. Study Objective: In this preliminary study, we sought to evaluate specialist malpractice concern as a perceived barrier to specialist referral for rural physicians practicing in EDs. Methods: ...

Lumbar punctures: use and diagnostic efficiency in emergency medical departments

BACKGROUND Lumbar punctures (LP) are regularly and effortlessly used in the emergency medical departments (EMD). LP use and efficiency have not been fully explored in the published literature. AIMS The goal of this study was to assess in a French EMD, the frequency of use and the diagnostic efficiency of LP, the final diagnoses, and related medical practices. METHODS We retrospectively stud...

Promoting patient safety and preventing medical error in emergency departments.

An estimated 108,000 people die each year from potentially preventable iatrogenic injury. One in 50 hospitalized patients experiences a preventable adverse event. Up to 3% of these injuries and events take place in emergency departments. With long and detailed training, morbidity and mortality conferences, and an emphasis on practitioner responsibility, medicine has traditionally faced the chal...