Short Communications: : Causes and Consequences of Complaints Against Anesthesiologists: A 5-year Retrospective Study
International Journal of Medical Toxicology and Forensic Medicine,
Vol. 8 No. 4(Autumn) (2018),
16 Dey 2019
,
Page 161-166
https://doi.org/10.22037/ijmtfm.v8i4(Autumn).22781
Abstract
Background: Nowadays, complaints against the medical staff and the demand for physicians’ malpractice compensation are increasing. Anesthesiologists are also faced with medical litigation. Because of the importance of this issue and lack of such a research in Guilan Province, this study was conducted to determine the causes and consequences of complaints against anesthesiologists. This study aimed to reveal the anesthesia malpractice claims and underlying factors of its medico-legal litigations.
Methods: This study surveyed all complaints against anesthesiologists from the Medical and Forensic Medicine Organization of Rasht from 2011 to 2015.
Results: In this study period, 40 complaints against anesthesiologists were registered. The patients who complained were mostly male (52.5%), married (72.5%), and aged >50 years (62.5%). Of these, 6 medical malpractice were occurred (15%). Death of patients (55%) was the most common cause of complaints and negligence is the highest rate of failure by anesthesiologists (90%). Patients in general surgery wards under general anesthesia in governmental educational hospitals were affected the most; 45% in recovery and 27.5% in ICU sectors. In addition, 15% of all referred anesthesia-related malpractice claims positive legal action.
Conclusion: Based on the results, a great concern over the performance of assistants in educational care centers, especially in general surgery ward is recommended. It is also necessary to monitor patient’s status carefully in the recovery room and use experienced personnel in there as well as intensive care units.
- Complaint
- Anesthesiologist
- Medical system
- Forensic medicine
How to Cite
References
Al Mazroea AH, Alturki AM. Frequency of medical errors complaints against medical health centers in Al Madinah Al Munawarah region of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Research & Allied Sciences. 2017; 6(2):308-12.
Fayyaz AF. Complains About medical malpractices in Aja Hospitals submitted to Tehran Medical Council and Forensics. Journal of Archives in Military Medicine. 2015; 3(1):e24423. [DOI:10.5812/jamm.24423]
Aghakhani N, Alinejad V, Zarei A, Cheraghi R, Nazimi N, Allahverdi N, et al. [Study of causes of health providers’ malpractices in records referred to Forensic Medicine Organization in Urmia, during 2009-2013 (Persian)]. Medical Law Review. 2017; 11(42):83-100.
de Castro TL, Fernandes MM, Rosa RO, de Oliveira RN, Júnior ED. How to avoid legal problems in cases of nerve injury due to dental implants. Réseau de Recherche en Santé Buccodentaire et Osseuse. 2017; 13(4):265-9. [DOI:10.21726/rsbo.v13i4.349]
Agout C, Rosset P, Druon J, Brilhault J, Favard L. Epidemiology of malpractice claims in the orthopedic and trauma surgery department of a French teaching hospital: A 10-year retrospective study. Orthopaedics & Traumatology. 2018; 104(1):11-5. [DOI:10.1016/j.otsr.2017.11.007]
Özdemir MH, Çekin N, Can IÖ, Hilal A. Malpractice and system of expertise in anaesthetic procedures in Turkey. Forensic Science International. 2005; 153(2-3):161-7. [DOI:10.1016/j.forsciint.2004.08.016] [PMID]
Yang H. Professionalism in anesthesia. Canadian Journal of Anesthesia. 2017; 64(2):149-57. [DOI:10.1007/s12630-016-0738-3] [PMID]
Ali MR, Rahman J, Khatun R, Adom S, Khan KR. Modern Anesthesia and its medico-legal aspects. KYAMC Journal. 2017; 7(2):806-9. [DOI:10.3329/kyamcj.v7i2.33843]
Mahfouzi A, Taghadosinezhad F, Abedi Khourasgani H. [A 6 years study on anaesthesiologist’s medical malpractice cases referred to Tehran medicolegal commission (1994-1999) (Persian)]. Scientific Journal of Forensic Medicine. 2002; 8(26):4-10.
Jena AB, Schoemaker L, Bhattacharya J, Seabury SA. Physician spending and subsequent risk of malpractice claims: Observational study. BMJ. 2015; 351:h5516.
Waxman DA, Kanzaria HK. Physician spending and risk of malpractice claims: Defensive medicine may not be as common as we think. BMJ. 2015; 351:h6768. [DOI:10.1136/bmj.h6768] [PMID]
Studdert DM, Bismark MM, Mello MM, Singh H, Spittal MJ. Prevalence and characteristics of physicians prone to malpractice claims. New England Journal of Medicine. 2016; 374(4):354-62. [DOI:10.1056/NEJMsa1506137] [PMID]
Alsafi E, Baharoon S, Ahmed A, Al Jahdali H, Al Zahrani S, Al Sayyari A. Physicians’ knowledge and practice towards medical error reporting: A cross-sectional hospital-based study in Saudi Arabia. Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal. 2015; 21(9):655-64. [DOI:10.26719/2015.21.9.655]
Bowman D, Spicer J. Truth, trust and the doctor-patient relationship. Oxford: Radcliffe Publication; 2018.
Yadav M, Rastogi P. A study of medical negligence cases decided by the district consumer courts of Delhi. Journal of Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine. 2015; 37(1):50-5. [DOI:10.5958/0974-0848.2015.00011.1]
Rising ML. Truth telling as an element of culturally competent care at end of life. Journal of Transcultural Nursing. 2017; 28(1):48-55. [DOI:10.1177/1043659615606203] [PMID]
Adams J, Bell M, Bodenham A. Quality and outcomes in anaesthesia: Lessons from litigation. British Journal of Anaesthesia. 2012; 109(1):110-22. [DOI:10.1093/bja/aes188] [PMID]
Rosenbaum ME, Ferguson KJ, Lobas JG. Teaching medical students and residents skills for delivering bad news: Areview of strategies. Academic Medicine. 2004; 79(2):107-17. [DOI:10.1097/00001888-200402000-00002] [PMID]
Ghaffar UB, Ahmed SM, Faraz A. A review of the frequency of medical error in Saudi Arabia: An emerging concern. Journal of Evidence Based Medicine and Healthcare. 2015; 2(52):8692-5. [DOI:10.18410/jebmh/2015/1205]
Bell SK, Mejilla R, Anselmo M, Darer JD, Elmore JG, Leveille S, et al. When doctors share visit notes with patients: A study of patient and doctor perceptions of documentation errors, safety opportunities and the patient–doctor relationship. BMJ Quality & Safety. 2016; 26(4):257-8. [DOI:10.1136/bmjqs-2016-005641]
Pascall E TS, Georgiou A, Cook TM. Litigation associated with intensive care unit treatment in England: An analysis of NHSLA data 1995-2012. British Journal of Anaesthesia. 2015; 115(4):601-7. [DOI:10.1093/bja/aev285] [PMID]
Samarkandi A. Medico-legal liabilities of anesthesia practice in Saudi Arabia. Middle East Journal of Anesthesiology. 2006; 18(4):693-706.
Bastani M, Hejazi A, Zarenejad M, Shahriary S, Sahmeddini MA. [Malpractice cases of anesthesiology leading to death or impairment referring to Shiraz forensic medicine commissions during 2006-2011 (Persian)]. Razi Journal of Medical Sciences. 2014; 21(122):61-7.
Cook T, Scott S, Mihai R. Litigation related to airway and respiratory complications of anaesthesia: An analysis of claims against the NHS in England 1995–2007. Anaesthesia. 2010; 65(6):556-63. [DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2044.2010.06331.x] [PMID]
Kent CD. Awareness during general anesthesia: ASA closed claims database and anesthesia awareness registry. ASA Monitor. 2010; 74(2):14-6.
- Abstract Viewed: 343 times
- PDF Downloaded: 315 times