[Consistency and change of medical errors in urology]

Whether and how far the ascertainment of medical errors is influenced by advances in medicine is a matter of question.

The cases of the Expert Committee for Medical Malpractice Claims of the Medical Association of North Rhine were reviewed from 1975 to 2005. The results of the first 23 years were compared with the last 7 ones. Underlying criteria were the professional standards and required care.

The number of claims and medical errors increased. The rate of medical errors remained approximately constant. The spectrum of medical errors remained constant to a large extent. Frequent errors were more frequently ascertained. Several errors decreased or increased according to medical progress.

To avoid medical errors individual cases should be published for learning purposes. Each treatment should be undertaken with utmost competence and care.