This study assessed medical malpractice claims concerning pediatric patients in emergency departments and urgent care centers. It’s crucial for healthcare providers in these settings to understand the common diagnoses and medical factors involved in such claims.
A retrospective review was conducted using the Physician Insurers Association of America’s Data Sharing Project database, examining closed malpractice claims from 2001 to 2015 involving children (0-17 years) in emergency department or urgent care settings. The review collected data on medical specialty, diagnoses, key medical factors, injury severity, claim outcomes, and associated costs.
The analysis encompassed 728 closed claims in pediatric emergency care. In 30% of these cases (220 out of 728), compensation was provided to the claimant, totaling US $70.3 million, with an average payout of $319,513 per case over the 15-year period. The most frequent medical conditions linked to these claims were cardiac or cardiorespiratory arrest, appendicitis, and disorders of the male genital organs.
Diagnostic error emerged as the most prevalent chief medical factor, accounting for 41% of claims. Interestingly, while less frequent, failures or delays in hospital admission (the eighth most common factor) resulted in the highest average indemnity payments. Of the 728 closed claims, 220 involved a patient’s death (30%). However, payments were more often associated with claims involving major permanent injury rather than death. Among the 57 cases that proceeded to trial, physicians received favorable verdicts in 47 cases (82%).
In conclusion, cardiac conditions, appendicitis, and disorders of the male genital organs are identified as the most common medical conditions in pediatric emergency care malpractice claims. Furthermore, errors in diagnosis are the leading medical factor in these legal actions. This highlights the importance for emergency department and urgent care providers to be acutely aware of these common diagnoses and medical error types to enhance patient safety and mitigate malpractice risks.
