Diagnostic Error in General Surgery: Cognitive Bias and Systems Issues in Medical Malpractice Claims (Abstract)
Although claims against general surgeons primarily allege technical surgical-type errors, diagnostic error is the second most frequent allegation against or case type for general surgeons. Analysis of malpractice claims can elucidate the causes of and solutions to diagnostic errors. This study considers differences between diagnostic errors, both cognitive and systemic, committed by general surgeons in the inpatient vs. the outpatient setting.
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Dealing With Online Patient Complaints
Clinicians are understandably concerned about their reputations and the consequences of any negative comments posted about them on social media platforms.
Medical and Dental Record Issues: Frequently Asked Questions
We answer questions frequently asked by members about medical and dental records, such as length of retention, how to destroy hard copy paper records, and creating backups of electronic health records.
OB Patient Safety Credit Program
We are proud to offer the OB Patient Safety Credit Program, our voluntary program that is open to all qualifying member obstetricians, family practitioners providing obstetrical care, and certified nurse midwives (CNMs) who are actively involved in deliveries.
Obtaining Informed Consent in Clinical Teaching Situations
The basic principles governing informed consent and informed refusal apply to healthcare practitioners in all settings—including academic medical centers and any teaching location.
Contributing Factors to Medical Malpractice Claims: Study Examines Difference Between No-Payment and Indemnity Claims
In November 2023, The Doctors Company released a study on diagnosis-related medical malpractice claims with an indemnity over $1 million. Now, to expand our understanding, we have conducted a new analysis: Do contributing factors differ between malpractice claims with no payment and claims with indemnity payments?
Jun 17, 2022
RCA2: Panel Report on Improving Root Cause Analyses and Actions to Prevent Harm
James P. Bagian, MD, PE, member of The Doctors Company Board of Governors, co-chaired a panel with the National Patient Safety Foundation to improve how we can learn from adverse events and unsafe conditions and take action to prevent their occurrence in the future.
Health Insurance Reform Could Lead to Patient Abandonment: Why the Silence?
Will Washington cancel coverage for millions of patients and unleash a tidal wave of litigation on the U.S. healthcare system? I challenge leaders in healthcare and government to address this question.
Disclosure Resources
Practitioners can use these guidelines to help mitigate liability risks when disclosing adverse events and complications.
Apr 30, 2024
Mislabeled Diagnostic Specimens Put Lab Team at Risk: Patient Safety Impact Story
A clinical laboratory team that provides diagnostic evaluation of specimens sent in from multiple practices noticed an increase in tissue specimens arriving mislabeled, prompting a Practice Risk INSIGHT review by The Doctors Company.
