February 21, 2024, Journal of the American College of Cardiology
Professional Liability: The Problem That Will Not Go Away
The frequency of malpractice claims in the United States has trended downward in the last 10 to 15 years, however, there is an upward trend in the “severity” of claims, driven in large part by “nuclear” jury verdicts. Cardiologists and other clinicians should always be aware that a lack of communication is a common causal factor in malpractice suits. Richard E. Anderson, MD, FACP, Chairman and CEO, The Doctors Company and TDC Group, investigates claim amounts and severity alongside three prominent physicians.
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Cognitive Assessments in Primary Care: Preparation and Tools May Mitigate Diagnosis Risks
As practices care for the increase in older patients and take advantage of the CMS billing rules, successfully integrating cognitive evaluations into a practice’s workflow without magnifying liability risks takes some preparation.
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?
December 15, 2023, Inside Medical Liability
MPL Cases: What Are the Primary Drivers of High-Indemnity Medical Malpractice Claims?
Jacqueline Ross, RN, PhD, Coding Director, and Kathrine Soulsby, RN, BSN, Senior Patient Safety Analyst, The Doctors Company, part of TDC Group, investigate high-dollar medical malpractice litigation and explain how reducing diagnostic errors is paramount to enhancing patient safety and mitigating loss costs.
Professional Education
Loss Lessons: Recognition of Wernicke Encephalopathy
Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) is a syndrome commonly seen in patients with alcohol use disorder who do not take adequate thiamine. WE should be suspected in any patient with conditions that may lead to malnutrition in combination with any of the following symptoms: altered mental status ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, delirium, and hypotension. Considered a medical emergency, it must be reversed to prevent permanent deficits. This case illustrates a cascade of errors which led to permanent disability. Some practical interventions to quickly recognize and reverse the condition are offered following the case presentation, which will be helpful for gastroenterology/gastroenterologists, ophthalmology/ophthalmologists, and neurology/neurologists.
Nonadherent and Noncompliant Patients: Overcoming Barriers
Nonadherent or noncompliant patient conduct (whether intentional or inadvertent) can adversely affect clinical outcomes, undermine the practitioner-patient relationship, and disrupt the operation of practice.
NJ PURE Announces Exclusive Agreement with The Doctors Company Risk Retention Group for Industry-Leading Malpractice Coverage
NJ Physicians United Reciprocal Exchange (NJ PURE) announced today it is exiting the medical malpractice insurance marketplace and has entered into a relationship designed to offer its insureds access to a leading A rated medical liability carrier with The Doctors Company Risk Retention Group (RRG).
February 23, 2023, Today's Hospitalist
The Pandemic’s Impact on Malpractice Claims
Peter Kolbert, JD, Senior Vice President, Claim & Litigation Services, Healthcare Risk Advisors (HRA), part of TDC Group, discusses the impact the pandemic had on malpractice claims as we approach the third anniversary of COVID-19.
January 27, 2022, Medscape
Medscape Orthopedist Malpractice Report 2021
Peter Kolbert, JD, Senior Vice President of Claim and Litigation Services for Healthcare Risk Advisors, part of TDC Group, is among experts quoted on why orthopedists face malpractice lawsuits.
January 27, 2022, Medscape
Medscape Psychiatrist Malpractice Report 2021
Peter Kolbert, JD, Senior Vice President of Claim and Litigation Services for Healthcare Risk Advisors, part of TDC Group, is quoted on why many psychiatrists have not reported being sued for a COVID-19–related allegation.