Malpractice Claims Data as a Quality Improvement Tool. 1. Epidemiology of Errorin Four Specialities

摘要

Objective.-To identify potentially preventable sources of medical injury inobstetrics and gynecology, general surgery, anesthesiology, and radiology. Design.-Retrospective review of physician malpractice claim records. Setting.-Large New Jersey physician malpractice insurer. Participants.-Physicians practicing obstetrics and gynecology, general surgery, anesthesiology, and radiology and covered by the insurance carrier during any portion of 1977 through 1989. Main Outcome Measures.-Proportion of claims due to negligence associated with errors in (1) patient management, (2) technical performance, and (3) medical and nursing staff coordination and the clinical and financial consequences of such errors. Conclusion.-Malpractice data can be used to identify problem-prone clinical processes and suggest interventions that may reduce negligence.