| Medical malpractice as reflected by the forensic evaluation of 4450 autopsies. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 19524380 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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A multicentre retrospective analysis of 4450 autopsies carried out due to suspicion of medical malpractice in 17 German institutes of forensic medicine from 1990 to 2000 was performed for the German Federal Ministry of Health. During the time period analysed an increase of cases could be mentioned. The main results of the study are: in the cooperating institutes the total number of autopsies due to suspected medical malpractice ranged from 1.4 to 20%. In more than 40% of the cases preliminary proceedings were started because the manner of death was certified as non-natural or not clarified. Hospital doctors were more affected by medical malpractice claims than doctors in private practice. However, the number of confirmed cases of medical malpractice was higher for doctors in private practice than for hospital doctors. Although surgery is still at the top of the disciplines involved in medical malpractice claims the number of confirmed surgical cases was below the average. Mistakes in care were confirmed to be above the average. Medico-legal autopsies are still a very sufficient method to evaluate cases of medical malpractice: 2863 cases could already be clarified by autopsy. Up to now there is no systematic registration of medical malpractice charges in Germany. A systematic registration should be initiated to build up and/or improve error reporting systems and, thus, to improve patient safety. Compared to other sources of medical malpractice claims (arbitration committees of the medical chambers, reference material of health and insurance companies, files of civil courts) the data of the present multicentre study are in so far unique as only lethal cases were evaluated and a complete autopsy report was available as basis of an expert opinion in alleged medical malpractice cases. |
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Authors:
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Burkhard Madea; Johanna Preuss |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Multicenter Study Date: 2009-06-12 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Forensic science international Volume: 190 ISSN: 1872-6283 ISO Abbreviation: Forensic Sci. Int. Publication Date: 2009 Sep |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2009-07-27 Completed Date: 2009-10-29 Revised Date: 2009-11-19 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 7902034 Medline TA: Forensic Sci Int Country: Ireland |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 58-66 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bonn, Stiftsplatz 12, 53111 Bonn, Germany. b.madea@uni-bonn.de |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Adolescent Adult Age Distribution Aged Aged, 80 and over Autopsy / statistics & numerical data* Child Child, Preschool Germany Health Personnel / statistics & numerical data Humans Infant Infant, Newborn Malpractice / legislation & jurisprudence, statistics & numerical data*, trends Medical Errors / statistics & numerical data Medicine / statistics & numerical data Middle Aged Retrospective Studies Specialization Young Adult |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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