Surgical Error Compensation Claims as a Patient Safety Indicator: Causes and Economic Consequences in the Murcia Health System, 2002 to 2018
Por:
Vicente-Guijarro, J, Valencia-Martin, J, Fernandez-Herreruela, C, Sousa, P, Solves, J and Aranaz-Andres, J
Publicada:
1 jun 2022
Resumen:
Objectives Compensation claims are a useful source of information on patient safety research. The purpose of this study was to determine the main causes of surgical compensation claims and their financial impact on the health system. Methods A descriptive observational study with analytical components was carried out on compensation claims brought against the surgical area of the Murcia Health System between 2002 and 2018. We analyzed the frequency, causes, consequences, locations and surgical settings of these claims, the time of judicial procedure, and compensation adjusted to the Consumer Price Index. Results There were 1172 compensation claims. "orthopedic surgery and traumatology" (27.4%), "gynecology and obstetrics" (25.7%), and "general surgery" (17.2%) were the main surgical settings involved. The most frequent causes were surgical error (42.4%) and treatment error (30.9%). The main sequelae were musculoskeletal (20.0%), neurological (17.7%), and obstetric (17.7%). The average time from incident to resolution of claims was 6.3 years. A total of 20.1% of these claims were successful, particularly those involving retained surgical foreign bodies (71.4% successful claims; P < 0.001). The total compensation paid was euro56,338,247 (an average of euro17,207 per claim). Compensation was higher in cases with respiratory sequelae (median, 131,600; P = 0.033), death (75,916; P < 0.001), and neurological (60,000; P = 0.024). Conclusions Compensation claims associated with surgical procedures are made on a variety of grounds. They are drawn-out proceedings, and patients are only successful in 20% of cases.
Filiaciones:
Vicente-Guijarro, J:
Hosp Univ Ramon y Cajal, Serv Med Prevent & Salud Publ, IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain
Univ Alcala, Dept Med & Especialidades Med, Fac Med, Alcala De Henares, Spain
IRYCIS, Inst Ramon y Cajal Invest Sanitaria, Madrid, Spain
Valencia-Martin, J:
IRYCIS, Inst Ramon y Cajal Invest Sanitaria, Madrid, Spain
Hosp Univ Virgen del Rocio, Serv Med Prevent & Salud Publ, Avda Manuel Siurot S-N, Seville 41013, Spain
Fernandez-Herreruela, C:
Serv Madrileno Salud, Direcc Asistencial Noroeste, Gerencia Asistencial Atenc Primaria, Madrid, Spain
Asesor Gest Riesgos Sanitarios, Perito Med Seguros, Madrid, Spain
Sousa, P:
Univ NOVA Lisboa, NOVA Natl Sch Publ Hlth, Lisbon, Portugal
Comprehens Hlth Res Ctr CHRC, Lisbon, Portugal
:
Miguel Hernandez Univ, Hlth Psychol Dept, Elche, Portugal
Conselleria Sanitat, Alicante St Joan Hlth Dist, Alicante, Spain
Hlth Serv Network Oriented Chron Dis, REDISSEC, Madrid, Spain
Aranaz-Andres, J:
Hosp Univ Ramon y Cajal, Serv Med Prevent & Salud Publ, IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain
IRYCIS, Inst Ramon y Cajal Invest Sanitaria, Madrid, Spain
CIBER Epidemiol & Salud Publ CIBERESP, Madrid, Spain
Green Published, hybrid
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