Access Three Complimentary Analyses to Help Reduce Patient Harm and Malpractice Exposure
Each month in 2026, our Malpractice Risk Review will focus on a different medical specialty, providing targeted insights from malpractice claims to support patient safety and risk management efforts.
Understanding malpractice risk in general surgery requires examining both how patient harm occurs and why negligence allegations arise. This Malpractice Risk Review brings together three in-depth analyses:
- Contributing factors to patient harm: Identifies common drivers of general surgery malpractice claims, including issues with technical skill, clinical judgment, and communication.
- Negligence allegations: Analyzes negligence allegations in general surgery to help clinicians and staff proactively identify and address risk.
- Case summary for delayed recognition and management of postoperative complications: Highlights the patient safety risks associated with delayed recognition and escalation of complications following colorectal surgery and underscores the importance of correct identification of abdominal anatomy, monitoring expected recovery milestones, and clear perioperative documentation.
The guidelines suggested here are not rules, do not constitute legal advice, and do not ensure a successful outcome. The ultimate decision regarding the appropriateness of any treatment must be made by each healthcare provider considering the circumstances of the individual situation and in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction in which the care is rendered.
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