Today, I received an email from a colleague lamenting how disappointing it is that there has been no support for malpractice reform in the current discussion on healthcare reform. A recent article in the liberal New York Times source summarized the situation by suggesting that malpractice is responsible for 3% of overall healthcae costs (relatively minimal). However my impression is that the study underestimated the significant impact that impending medical liability has on increasing costs of providing care in terms of a constant cycle of unneccessary test and labs for defensive purposes. To the point that young doctors are now trained in the art of practicing defensible medicine. I posted previously on medical malpractice in vascular surgery and vascular disease treatment and it was well received. Issues like limb ischemia, gangrene and amputation are common topics with significant medical legal liability.
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To be certain, there are egregious cases of medical negligence that virtually indefensible, however from what I have seen, the vast majority of malpractice cases are frivolous and even if they dont make it to trial, they cause a great deal of anguish, increased costs and loss of professional integrity. For this reason, Im always available to participate in defending a vascular practitioner vigorously as a vascular expert.
I actually think that far more systems errors occur that result in patient injury than direct physician mediated injuries. And the data would suggest that most of these medical errors dont result in medical malpractice litigation
My colleague sent me a couple links for agencies that advertise for vascular surgery, cardiology, cardiac surgery medical malpractice cases. Its always interesting to see what the process is and to hear plaintiffs describe the potential errors in management during the review of a medical malpractice case. For example read a list of vascular surgery medical malpractice cases and awards here
Also read about some sample cases here These cases are quite fascinating
Here at the VascularDeviceForum.com we spend a lot of time talking about the safe use of technology for the treatment of vascular disease and the ultimate benefit of our patients. But lets not forget that its a tough world out there for the vascular practitioner
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