A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine has identified the top reasons why internists are sued for medical malpractice and determined the success rate of each type of case identified.
For the study, researches reviewed 33,747 medical malpractice cases against internists that were closed between 1985 to 2009.
Researchers identified the following as the five most common reasons internists are sued for medical malpractice:
1. Harm caused by errors in diagnosis – 26.4 percent of closed claims
2. Harm caused by breach of care with no medical error claimed – 25.4 percent of closed claims
3. Harm caused by errors in performance of a procedure – 11.1 percent of closed claims
4. Harm caused by failure to monitor subordinates – 10.9 percent of closed claims
5. Harm caused by incorrect prescription or administration of medicine – 8.5 percent of closed claims
Researchers also identified the following causes of medical malpractice cases against internists as having the highest patient success rate in settlement or litigation:
1. Harm caused by errors in diagnosis – 33.8 percent resulted in payment to patient
2. Harm caused by failure to monitor subordinates – 31.1 percent resulted in payment to patient
3. Harm caused by incorrect prescription or administration of medicine – 29.2 percent resulted in payment to patient
4. Harm caused by errors in performance of a procedure – 28.3 percent resulted in payment to patient
5. Breach of care with no medical error claimed – 4.8 percent resulted in payment to patient
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