Rates and Characteristics of Medical Malpractice Claims Against Hospitalists

Area of Science:

• Medical malpractice
• Healthcare law
• Physician risk assessment

Background:

• Hospitalists operate in high-stakes, litigious medical environments.
• Limited data exists on malpractice claims risk specific to hospitalists.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the rates and characteristics of malpractice claims against hospitalists.
• To compare hospitalist malpractice data with other medical specialties.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of malpractice claims data from a large national database (approx. 31% of US claims).
• Comparison of hospitalists (n=1,216) against comparator specialties (n=18,644).
• Evaluation of claims rates, payment percentages, indemnity amounts, allegation types, and injury severity.

Main Results:

• Hospitalists' annual malpractice claims rate was 1.95 per 100 physician-years, similar to general internal medicine but higher than subspecialists.
• Hospitalist claims rates increased (2009-2018), unlike most other specialties.
• Median indemnity payments for hospitalists ($231,454) were significantly higher than most comparator specialties.
• Errors in clinical judgment were the strongest predictor of payment in hospitalist claims (aOR=5.01).

Conclusions:

• Hospitalist malpractice claims rates did not decrease, unlike other specialties, during the study period.
• Hospitalist claims exhibit high injury severity and median indemnity payments.
• The malpractice environment for hospitalists is becoming less favorable, necessitating attention to risk management.