Open AccessMedical malpractice claim risk in emergency departments
Author(s) -
Claudio Bianchin,
Carolina Prevaldi,
Matteo Corradin,
Mario Saïa
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
emergency care journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2282-2054
pISSN - 1826-9826
DOI - 10.4081/ecj.2018.6366
Subject(s) - medicine , malpractice , medical malpractice , medical emergency , emergency department , medical diagnosis , myocardial infarction , risk management , nursing , finance , psychiatry , law , radiology , political science , economics
Medical malpractice claims are a major problem for emergency physicians and for the health system which must be addressed in a rational and effective fashion: claim analysis seems the best way to identify risk factors and risk areas and to elaborate risk management recommendations. The Emergency Department (ED) is one of the areas at higher risk. Medical diagnoses associated with the highest number of claims are acute myocardial infarction, fractures, appendicitis, abdominal/pelvic symptoms, aortic aneurism and open wounds to fingers. The present paper emphasizes the necessity for ED emergency physicians to pay special attention when facing these health conditions and seeks to provide indications in order to reduce litigation.