Malpractice News

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Use of Interpreters in Emergency Department May Reduce Errors

May 16, 2012

Using professional translators for non-English speaking patients in the emergency department (ED) of hospitals may reduce miscommunications and errors, according to a recent study published online ahead of print in the Annals of Emergency Medicine.

Medical Malpractice Claims Level Off in Pennsylvania

May 16, 2012

After a six-year decline in the filing of medical malpractice lawsuits, a new report shows that claims have now slightly risen in Pennsylvania.

Massachusetts Health Care Systems Pilot Medical Liability Initiative

May 16, 2012

Studies have shown that when physicians apologize to patients for errors or unfortunate results, patients are less likely to sue and are more likely to have a more positive take on the event.

Former Airman Sues U.S. For Medical Malpractice

April 27, 2012

In the most recent challenge to the Feres Doctrine, a former airman who lost his legs because of a botched gallbladder surgery is suing the U.S. government, the Air Force, and the David Grant Medical Center for medical malpractice.

Surgical Catastrophes Haunt Anesthesiologists

April 27, 2012

Results of a recent survey indicate that catastrophic medical errors can haunt practitioners for years, and in some cases, forever.

Six States Account for Over 50% of Malpractice Payouts

April 27, 2012

Diederich Healthcare, a medical malpractice insurance company, recently released an analysis of medical malpractice payments made in 2011, as recorded by the National Practitioner Data Bank.

Indemnity Payments Boost Malpractice Defense Costs

April 27, 2012

Defense costs for malpractice cases vary widely among practice specialties, but in all cases are higher for claims resulting in indemnity payments.

Actor James Woods Speaks Out in Support of Medical Apology Bill

March 13, 2012

The actor James Woods recently spoke to Rhode Island lawmakers in support of a bill that would allow physicians to apologize without fear.

Gaps in Data Exist in Ambulatory Patient Safety, AMA Says

March 13, 2012

The American Medical Association (AMA) recently released a report on patient safety in ambulatory care settings between the years 2000 and 2010 revealing a gap in research on the subject.

Patient Safety A Significant Issue at New York Area Hospitals

March 13, 2012

Consumer Reports recently published results of a study on patient safety in New York City area hospitals, and the findings were alarming.

Patient Compensation System Considered in Florida

February 16, 2012

Medical malpractice premiums in Dade County are perhaps the most expensive in the nation, forcing many clinicians to make dramatic choices when it comes to coverage.

Minnesota Medical Board Comes Under Scrutiny

February 16, 2012

Minnesota's Star Tribune newspaper recently published an investigative series profiling how the state Board of Medical Practice is mishandling complaints about physicians.

Arizona Senate Panel Votes to Curb 'Wrongful Birth' Suits

February 16, 2012

A Senate panel voted in favor of overturning an Arizona Supreme Court ruling that set precedent almost thirty years ago in "wrongful birth" and "wrongful life" lawsuits.

Most Physicians Will Face a Malpractice Suit in Their Career

January 30, 2012

It is well known that medical malpractice suits are common, but very little data existed regarding which specialties are sued the most.

$9 Million Wyoming Malpractice Verdict Is Largest on Record

January 20, 2012

A jury recently found in favor of a plaintiff in a malpractice lawsuit, and awarded him and his wife a record-breaking $9 million in damages.

Malpractice Attorney Charged with Stealing From Clients

January 20, 2012

A New York attorney is being charged with stealing $70,000 from his medical malpractice clients, according to Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Zugibe.

Distracted Care Can Lead To Increase in Malpractice

January 20, 2012

While the innovation of such things as cell phones, iPads, social networking sites, and the Internet can often be a boon when it comes to gaining or sharing information on the go, they also can be a distraction to health care professionals.

Error Reporting Improves in Non-Punitive Setting

January 04, 2012

When health care practitioners are allowed to report medical errors anonymously in a non-punitive environment designed to improve patient safety, many more errors will be reported, according to a recent study published in Pediatrics.

Medical Errors in Indiana Hit Five-Year High

January 04, 2012

In January 2005, to increase awareness and create transparency, Indiana Governor Mitchell E. Daniels Jr. issued an executive order requiring the Indiana State Department of Health to develop a medical error reporting system. The Department of Health did so, and began collecting error reports from hospitals, ambulatory outpatient surgical centers, abortion clinics, and birthing centers starting in January 2006.

New York Program Speeds Malpractice Case Resolution

January 04, 2012

The medical malpractice process is time-consuming, costly, and exceedingly slow to reach a resolution. Numerous efforts have been made to address these issues over the years, including caps on damages and statutes of limitations, however, these changes have made little difference in the time and effort involved in these cases. Some light may be appearing on the horizon, however.

Legal Issues

After Radical Prostatectomy, Patient Learns He Never Had Prostate Cancer

Is honesty always the best policy? That is the question that a urologist had to grapple with in this case.

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Renal Nutrition Update

High Protein Intake May Elevate Levels of Advanced Glycation End Products

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are byproducts of non-enzymatic chemical reactions between sugars and amino acids, lipids, or DNA. A wide range of molecules fall into this category.

Expert Q&A

Optimal Sequencing of the New Prostate Cancer Drugs: An Interview with E. David Crawford, MD

Several new drugs have become available for treating advanced prostate cancer in the past year and a half. Dr. Crawford talks to Renal & Urology News about the possible ways in which these drugs might be used.

On The Forefront

Sickle Cell Trait and Medullary Renal Carcinoma

A 55-year-old Caucasian woman initially presented to one of Cleveland Clinic's regional outpatient urology clinics with gross hematuria and an obstructing right ureteral stone.

Clinical Quiz

Small Renal Masses and Drug-Eluting Stents — How to Best Balance the Risks?

A 55-year-old male with significant history of coronary artery disease is found to have an intraparenchymal 2 cm left-enhancing small renal mass. Answer the quiz correctly and you'll have a chance to win an American Express gift card.