Race Differences in a Malpractice Event Database in a Large Healthcare System

This study aimed to determine whether potential malpractice events reported by employees, malpractice events involving claims, and malpractice lawsuits differ based on patient race in a large 10-hospital healthcare system.

Data in a healthcare system's malpractice database from July 1, 2012, to June 30, 2017, were stratified by patient race using "Black," "White," and "other" categories. χ2 Goodness-of-fit tests were used to compare differences in race proportions in employee-reported observations of events that could lead to payment of a claim, claims not involving the court, and lawsuits involving the court.

There were significantly more employee-reported observations and claims for White patients and significantly fewer observations and claims for Black patients than expected based on the race proportions in the overall healthcare system patient population ( P < 0.001). There were no significant race differences in lawsuits (Black patients, P = 0.146; White patients, P = 0.061; other patients, P = 0.458). Four of the 10 hospitals in the healthcare system had significant race differences in potential malpractice events (hospital A, P < 0.001; hospital B, P = 0.011; hospital E, P < 0.001; hospital G, P = 0.010).

Our findings reveal the existence of race differences in potential malpractice events in a large healthcare system. By proactively investigating, understanding, and addressing racial disparities in patient safety events, including those recorded in malpractice databases, healthcare systems can help advance initiatives to provide high-quality and equitable care to patients.