Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39587572›Full record

ArticleBMC health services research2024

Medical liability claims in gynaecologic care: retrospective analysis of claims related to gynaecology in the Netherlands (2005-2022) - Is there a connection between treatment indication, phase of treatment and the risk of medical malpractice claims?

Désirée Klemann, Rankie Ten Hoopen, Helen Mertens, Frits van Merode

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Article in BMC health services research, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Désirée KlemannDepartment of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, 6229 HX, the Netherlands. desiree.klemann@gmail.com.
Rankie Ten HoopenAssistant professor Faculty of Law, Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6211 LH, the Netherlands.
Helen MertensExecutive Board, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6229 HX, The Netherlands.
Frits van MerodeCare and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, 6229 HX, The Netherlands.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAn increased interest in medical liability claims has been noticed. Nevertheless, detailed data on subject of claims and possible factors that contribute to litigation and indemnity payments are scarce and relatively dated. Insight into these data may provide valuable information to prevent both incidents and malpractice claims.

objectiveTo analyse the subject, outcome and costs of malpractice claims related to gynaecological care and their connection with treatment indications and treatment phases.

designA retrospective analysis of malpractice claims related to gynaecology.

settingAll claims related to gynaecology, filed and closed by Netherlands' largest liability insurance company, Centramed between 2005 and 2022. SAMPLE: N = 382.

methodsAn in-depth analysis of claim files was performed.

resultsA total of 68.6% of the claims were related to perioperative incidents. A total of 88.0% of all claims were related to treatments with a benign indication and only 12.0% were related to malignancies. The share of malignant treatment indications was high for claims related to diagnostic incidents (37.9%), compared to 7.3% for claims related to surgical treatment. Liability was accepted in 22.5% of all claims. The total costs of all claims amount €6,6mlj. Besides the indication for treatment, deficient expectation management (a lack of informed consent) contributes to dissatisfaction and increases the risk of malpractice claims. Finally, an inadequate medical file compromises legal defence and influences the judgement and settlement of malpractice claims.

conclusionsThere is a connection between treatment indications and treatment phases and the risk of malpractice claims and their outcome.

Indexed as

Liability, LegalMalpracticeFemaleGynecologyHumansInsurance Claim ReviewInsurance, LiabilityNetherlandsRetrospective StudiesFile managementGynaecology and obstetricsIncidentIndemnity paymentInformed consentLitigationMalpractice claimsSurgical treatmentTreatment indicationsTreatment phase

Identifiers

PMID39587572
PMCPMC11590291

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