Critical ER ror: Medical Malpractice by the Numbers Andres&Berger, P.C. 264 Kings Highway East Haddonfield, NJ 08033 http://www.andresberger.com

A Serious Issue Medical and Hospital Malpractice lawsuits have grown exponentially in recent years. 98,000 patients are killed every year in hospitals according to Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences

Medical and Hospital Malpractice lawsuits have grown exponentially in recent years.

98,000 patients are killed every year in hospitals according to Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences

National Practitioner Data Bank According to the NPDB Summary Report, 191,804 medical malpractice incidents were made regarding licensed physicians from 1990-2004. The NPDB reported 1,530 medical malpractice reports filed regarding resident or intern physicians in the US between 1990-2004. 18,999 medical malpractice payment reports were made in the US in 2002 70.4% of reports against practitioners were medical malpractice payment reports in the US in 2002

According to the NPDB Summary Report, 191,804 medical malpractice incidents were made regarding licensed physicians from 1990-2004.

The NPDB reported 1,530 medical malpractice reports filed regarding resident or intern physicians in the US between 1990-2004.

18,999 medical malpractice payment reports were made in the US in 2002

70.4% of reports against practitioners were medical malpractice payment reports in the US in 2002

National Practitioner Data Bank Just 5.1 percent of doctors account for 54.2 percent of the malpractice payouts. Of the 35,000 doctors who have had two or more malpractice payouts since 1990, only 7.6 percent of them have been formally disciplined. Only 13 percent of doctors with five medical malpractice payouts have been disciplined.

Just 5.1 percent of doctors account for 54.2 percent of the malpractice payouts.

Of the 35,000 doctors who have had two or more malpractice payouts since 1990, only 7.6 percent of them have been formally disciplined.

Only 13 percent of doctors with five medical malpractice payouts have been disciplined.

Medical Ethics??? Med students at SUNY-Buffalo were asked to recall incidents during their clinical training that caused ethical concern. More than 200 students responded (40% of total sample); 60% of instances reported did not threaten the patient’s life, health, or welfare, in the researchers opinion. The above statistic, however, means that potentially 40% of the incidents causing ethical concern did pose significant medical threats to patients.

Med students at SUNY-Buffalo were asked to recall incidents during their clinical training that caused ethical concern.

More than 200 students responded (40% of total sample); 60% of instances reported did not threaten the patient’s life, health, or welfare, in the researchers opinion.

The above statistic, however, means that potentially 40% of the incidents causing ethical concern did pose significant medical threats to patients.

Don’t Sleep On It On a scale of 0 (never) to 4 (almost daily), residents most frequently gave a response of 3 for the amount of sleep deprivation experienced during the first year of residency. Over 10% of residents indicated sleep deprivation was an “almost daily” occurrence.

On a scale of 0 (never) to 4 (almost daily), residents most frequently gave a response of 3 for the amount of sleep deprivation experienced during the first year of residency.

Over 10% of residents indicated sleep deprivation was an “almost daily” occurrence.

The Shocking Truth The cost of malpractice insurance only amounts to 3.2% of the average physician’s revenue. It is actually quite rare for medical errors to ever result in legal claims. According to a Harvard study, only 1 medical malpractice claim is made for every 7.6 hospital injuries.

The cost of malpractice insurance only amounts to 3.2% of the average physician’s revenue.

It is actually quite rare for medical errors to ever result in legal claims. According to a Harvard study, only 1 medical malpractice claim is made for every 7.6 hospital injuries.

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality The AHRQ funded a study finding that adverse medical events happen to around 3.5% of patients, with ICU patients experiencing an average of 2 medical errors per day, translating into a 99% proficiency rating- not bad, right? Well….. 1 out of 5 of these errors were deemed serious or fatal. If a 99.9% rate of proficiency (better than hospitals) was applied to the airline and banking sectors, it would translate to 2 dangerous landings a day at O’Hare Airport and over 30,000 checks deducted from the wrong account every hour.

The AHRQ funded a study finding that adverse medical events happen to around 3.5% of patients, with ICU patients experiencing an average of 2 medical errors per day, translating into a 99% proficiency rating- not bad, right? Well…..

1 out of 5 of these errors were deemed serious or fatal.

If a 99.9% rate of proficiency (better than hospitals) was applied to the airline and banking sectors, it would translate to 2 dangerous landings a day at O’Hare Airport and over 30,000 checks deducted from the wrong account every hour.

Know the Facts, Use Your Resources Keep in mind that statistics in this presentation are largely general statistics. If you or a loved one is getting ready to undergo a medical procedure, minimal research can turn over malpractice statistics specifically related to your potential hospital or doctor. Statistics on risks associated with your surgery Find out if your potential hospital or doctor has had consistent issues in the past. If so, get a second opinion. Arming yourself with important facts will help you be aware of and prepared for potential issues that may result from your surgery.

Keep in mind that statistics in this presentation are largely general statistics. If you or a loved one is getting ready to undergo a medical procedure, minimal research can turn over malpractice statistics specifically related to your potential hospital or doctor.

Statistics on risks associated with your surgery

Find out if your potential hospital or doctor has had consistent issues in the past. If so, get a second opinion.

Arming yourself with important facts will help you be aware of and prepared for potential issues that may result from your surgery.

Protecting Yourself Doing diligent research and arming yourself with facts will ensure that you make smart decisions and that you can effectively communicate your concerns to your attorney before your surgery takes place. Your medical malpractice attorney can make certain you are fully prepared to face any issues or problems in the most efficient and lawful manner. If you or a loved one has already suffered as a result of medical error, you should immediately contact a knowledgeable and experienced medical malpractice attorney to get your case going.

Doing diligent research and arming yourself with facts will ensure that you make smart decisions and that you can effectively communicate your concerns to your attorney before your surgery takes place.

Your medical malpractice attorney can make certain you are fully prepared to face any issues or problems in the most efficient and lawful manner.

If you or a loved one has already suffered as a result of medical error, you should immediately contact a knowledgeable and experienced medical malpractice attorney to get your case going.

Andres&Berger, P.C. Kenneth Andres and Michael Berger are award winning Medical Malpractice Attorneys in New Jersey. Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as civil trial lawyers Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocates Both Michael and Kenneth were awarded the Gold Medal for Outstanding Service to the Legal Profession by the Association of Trial Lawyers of America – New Jersey Andres&Berger, P.C. 264 Kings Highway East Haddonfield, NJ 08033 http://www.andresberger.com

Kenneth Andres and Michael Berger are award winning Medical Malpractice Attorneys in New Jersey.

Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as civil trial lawyers

Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocates

Both Michael and Kenneth were awarded the Gold Medal for Outstanding Service to the Legal Profession by the Association of Trial Lawyers of America – New Jersey