Medical Professionals Face Malpractice Lawsuits

Liability can arise when a client claims to have been injured due to errors and omissions or negligent services rendered by a professional

. When the negligence, errors, or omissions are caused by a medical professional, the result is a malpractice lawsuit. For this type of professional liability, malpractice insurance is called for.

Malpractice insurance is central to a complete insurance program for a medical professional, considering statistics report 15,000-20,000 medical malpractice suits are brought against physicians every year. In the event a persons medical treatment is found to be less than the standard level of service in the medical community, resulting in the patients injury or death, a malpractice claim may be filed against not only the physician but also the hospital, nurses, dentists, therapists, or anyone deemed a medical care provider.

Unfortunately, being named in a malpractice lawsuit is something that is very likely to happen in the course of a medical professionals career. According to one study by the New England Journal of Medicine, seventy-five percent of medical professionals working in specialties considered low risk can expect to be hit with a malpractice claim at some point during their careers. For medical professionals in high-risk specialties, that number jumps to a staggering one hundred percent.

Having malpractice coverage in place but its also prudent to take steps to avoid a claim in the first place. Here are some basic practices to remember that can help prevent claims down the road:

Make patients part of the decision making process. Dont rush through explanations about patients potential outcomes and risks. Discuss them in laypersons language, as well as options, making sure to highlight the difference between facts and opinion.

Check, check, and re-check key data. Patient history, vital signs, and other important information can change over time, especially when a patients condition is rapidly evolving. Stay abreast of the current conditions and re-check frequently.

Use the buddy system. When conducting examinations of a sensitive nature, such as genital or breast examinations, have another staff member assist and note this in the record.

Maintain excellent records. Keep accurate and complete notes for every patient. Having complete records can be of immense help in the event a malpractice

lawsuit arises, and can mean the difference between winning and losing in court.

Explain medication clearly. Make sure patients understand what medication they should be taking, how much, how often, and other important information such as whether a medication should be taken with or without food.

Its easy to see why malpractice insurance is a must for medical professionals. Contact a professional insurance agent to learn more about errors and omissions tailored for medical professionals.

by: James A. Laduke

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