Premium
Litigation in Canada against anesthesiologists practicing regional anesthesia. A review of closed claims. (University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada) Can J Anaeth 2000;47:105–112.
Author(s) -
Peng Philip W. H.,
Smedstad Kari G.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
pain practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 1533-2500
pISSN - 1530-7085
DOI - 10.1046/j.1533-2500.2001.01023-18.x
Subject(s) - medicine , regional anesthesia , malpractice , anesthesia , american society of anesthesiologists , anesthesiology , law , political science
This review discussed the pattern of malpractice litigation related to regional anesthesia in Canada. Source information for this review came from the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA). From 1990 to 1997 there were 7,909 closed legal actions involving all CMPA members. Of these, there were 310 cases involving anesthesiologists, of which 61 cases (approximately 20%) were related to regional anesthesia. Forty‐two of the cases involved neuraxial blocks and the legal outcome was favorable in 37 claims. There were 19 claims that involved peripheral nerve blocks; all of these had favorable outcomes. Overall, 10% of the regional anesthesia claims had unfavorable outcomes, compared with 28% of all anesthesia‐related claims and 30% of all CMPA members' claims. The degree of disability in the regional anesthesia claims were: none 10%; minor 49%; major 36%; and catastrophic 5%. There were no deaths in the malpractice claims involving regional anesthesia, compared with 17% in the all anesthesia group and 11% in all members' claims. Conclude that 20% of all anesthesia claims in Canada are related to regional anesthesia. The legal outcome of these claims is favorable 90% of the time. There were no deaths in the regional anesthesia claims.