According to a newly released study, there has been a significant reduction in the number of medical malpractice claims brought against anesthesiologists in the last decade. Although the study reported an overall decrease in the number claims against anesthesiologists, there is a striking difference between the frequency of claims in inpatient versus outpatient settings.
The aforementioned study, entitled “Comparison and Trends of Inpatient and Outpatient Anesthesia Claims Reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank,” was presented at the latest Annual Meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists. The study examined anesthesia-related medical malpractice claims between 2005 and 2013, evaluating the total number of claims against anesthesiologists, as well as the number of claims in inpatient and outpatient settings.
Overall, the study revealed that between 2005 and 2013, the total rate of anesthesia-related medical malpractice claims decreased 41.4 percent, or 4.6 percent per year. The decrease in anesthesia-related claims in inpatient settings was significantly greater, with a total decrease of 45.5 percent, while the decrease in outpatient settings was nearly half, at a total of 23.5 percent.
Although this study indicates a decrease in medical malpractice claims against anesthesiologists, anesthesia errors remain a problem in American medicine today, often resulting in catastrophic consequences for innocent patients. Anesthesia errors can occur in many forms, some of the most common of which include:
- Anesthesia overdose
- Anesthesia awareness (occurs when too little anesthesia is administered and the patient regains consciousness during the procedure)
- Delayed delivery of anesthesia
- Administering the wrong anesthetic medication, which may result in allergic reaction
- Failure to prevent anesthesia interactions, such as with prescription drugs and other medications
- Failure to properly instruct patients prior to a procedure that requires anesthesia (i.e. limiting food or liquid intake)
- Failure to monitor and/or recognize potentially dangerous reactions to anesthesia during surgery or other medical procedures
When anesthesia errors do occur, they can result in a variety of adverse events, including allergic reaction, adverse interaction with other medications, slowed heart rate, decreased blood pressure, severe brain damage, other injuries to the central nervous system, and even death. When medical negligence involving anesthesia causes injuries to patients, they have the right to seek compensation through medical malpractice lawsuits.
At Fronzuto Law Group, our seasoned attorneys represent victims of medical malpractice, including anesthesia errors, across New Jersey. To discuss your potential claim with a member of our medical malpractice team, contact our offices anytime at 973-435-4551for a cost-free consultation.
For additional information related to this issue, access the following article: Medical malpractice claims against anesthesiologists decreasing
