Trends in Pain Medicine Liability

Kelly A Pollak1, Linda S Stephens, Karen L Posner

  • 1From the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (K.A.P., L.S.S., K.L.P., D.R.F., K.B.D.); Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts (J.P.R.); American Society of Anesthesiologists, Anesthesia Quality Institute, Schaumburg, Illinois, and Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (R.P.D.); and Pain Management Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts (E.M.).

Anesthesiology
|September 18, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Malpractice claims in pain medicine have significantly increased in frequency and severity since 1980. This trend highlights a growing concern for patient safety and necessitates the development of safer pain management therapies.

Related Concept Videos

Torts I01:14

Torts I

Torts in nursing are wrongful acts that can harm patients and potentially lead to civil liability for the involved nurse. These wrongful acts range from unintentional errors to deliberate actions. Depending on the nature and severity of the tort, a nurse found liable may face financial penalties or disciplinary actions. Understanding the distinctions between intentional, quasi-intentional, and unintentional torts is crucial for nurses to mitigate risks and provide safe patient care.
Intentional...
1.8K
Torts III01:26

Torts III

Types of Quasi-intentional Torts in Healthcare
Quasi-intentional torts in healthcare involve acts where intent is not directed to harm an individual but results in harm due to careless or reckless speech.
1.6K
Analgesia and Pain Management01:25

Analgesia and Pain Management

Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
3.0K
Torts II01:13

Torts II

Intentional torts in healthcare refer to deliberate actions that cause harm or infringe on the rights of others. Understanding these torts is crucial for healthcare professionals to avoid legal liabilities and maintain ethical standards in patient care.
1.5K
Issues And Trends In Healthcare Delivery System01:29

Issues And Trends In Healthcare Delivery System

The issues and trends in healthcare delivery are constantly changing. The COVID-19 pandemic is one recent issue that wreaked havoc on healthcare systems, causing a shortage of healthcare workers, high demand for medicines and supplies, and increased medical expenditure due to a lack of insurance. Other issues include rising healthcare costs and care fragmentation.
Cost Containment
Payment for healthcare services has historically promoted adoption of costly and often unnecessary or inefficient...
6.4K
Nurses' Legal Responsibilities III01:16

Nurses' Legal Responsibilities III

Nurse-to-nurse relationships are legally required to adhere to professional standards, ensuring a respectful and positive working environment. Professional conduct demands that nurses treat all colleagues respectfully and courteously, fostering a productive, supportive workplace. Nurses must actively eliminate bullying, discrimination, and harassment to maintain a safe and inclusive environment.
Cultivating a culture of collaboration and mutual respect among nurses transcends mere enhancement...
2.0K