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Medical Malpractice Claims Within Cardiology from 2006 to 2015
Frances Wang1, Sandeep K Krishnan2
1Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.
Insights
Cardiology malpractice claims and payments significantly increased from 2006-2015. Understanding these trends, particularly improper treatment and diagnostic errors, helps cardiologists mitigate risk and improve patient care.
Area of Science:
- Medical Law
- Cardiology
- Healthcare Litigation
Background:
- Rising healthcare costs and defensive medicine necessitate understanding litigation trends.
- Cardiology faces higher malpractice suit rates than average.
- Analyzing liability claims aids in mitigating malpractice risk and enhancing patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize current malpractice litigation trends in cardiology.
- To identify common sources of patient injury in cardiology claims.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of malpractice claims data from 2006 to 2015.
- Data sourced from nationwide professional liability insurers, health systems, and community hospitals.
- Examination of claim allegations, outcomes, and indemnity payments.
Main Results:
- Both the number of claims and indemnity payments in cardiology increased from 2006 to 2015.
- Improper medical treatment and diagnostic error were the leading allegations in 1,538 claims.
- A majority of claims (68%) were decreased, denied, or dismissed; 30% were settled out of court.
Conclusions:
- Cardiology malpractice claims and compensation amounts rose substantially in the U.S. between 2006 and 2015.
- Understanding lawsuit characteristics can help cardiologists avoid common patient injuries.
- This analysis provides critical insights for improving patient care and reducing malpractice risk in cardiology.
Abstract:
With increasing healthcare costs and the high cost of spending driven by "defensive medicine," shedding light on recent litigation trends is critical for understanding current tort patterns, especially in the field of cardiology, a specialty with higher rates of malpractice suits than average. Understanding the characteristics of these liability claims and common types of patient injuries can aid cardiologists in mitigating malpractice risk and better patient care. Thus, the objective of this study was to characterize current malpractice trends in the field of cardiology and common sources of patient injury. An analysis of malpractice litigation claims from 2006 to 2015 in cardiology was performed on a database of nationwide professional liability insurers, health systems, and community hospitals. Both the total number of claims and annual indemnity payments in cardiology have seen an overall increase from 2006 to 2015. Of the 1,538 claims observed, the leading allegations were improper medical treatment and diagnostic error. However, despite the large number of claims, most cardiology claims during this decade were either decreased, denied, or dismissed (68%) and the plurality of the remainder was settled outside of court (30%). In conclusion, from 2006 to 2015, rates of cardiology malpractice claims and amount paid in compensation have increased substantially in the United States. Further understanding of the characteristics of these lawsuits can aid cardiologists in avoiding common sources of injury to improve patient care.
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