Abstract P282: Medical Professional Liability Claims Involving Cardiologists: A Descriptive Study of 4,527 Cases

Abstract

Objectives: In this study we present data which describe a large cohort of closed cardiovascular medical professional liability claims. The purpose of this report is to provide information for cardiologists which will be useful in improving the quality of cardiovascular care and in reducing the incidence of patient injury and the consequent frequency of medical professional liability claims. Background: In 1985 The Physician Insurers Association of America (PIAA) established the Data Sharing Project, a registry of medical professional liability claims. This registry contains data voluntarily submitted by participating PIAA member professional liability insurance companies describing 239,756 closed claims through 2008. The registry is maintained for educational programs to improved quality of care and to reduce patient injury and consequent medical professional liability claims. Methods: Descriptive techniques are used to present summary information for the medical cardiovascular claims in the PIAA registry. Results: Of 239,756 closed claims, 4,527 (1.9%) involve cardiologists. Of the 4,527 closed claims, 836 (18.5%) resulted in an indemnity payment, and the average indemnity payment for these cases was $251,024. In the entire database, 29.5% of closed claims were paid, and the average indemnity payment was $209,156. The most prevalent allegation among cardiovascular closed claims was diagnostic error (931 cases, 20.6% of all closed claims), and the most prevalent diagnosis was acute myocardial infarction, representing 105 of 931 cases of diagnostic error (11.3% of diagnostic error closed claims.) The average indemnity paid for errors in diagnosis was $306,273. Aortic aneurysms and dissections, while relatively infrequent as clinical events, represent a substantial medical professional liability diagnostic error risk because of the high percentage of paid claims (38.2%), and the high average indemnity payment of $444,859. Conclusions: Medical professional liability issues are common and are important to all practicing cardiologists. Detailed knowledge of risks associated with liability claims should assist practicing cardiologists in improving quality of care, reducing patient injury and reducing the incidence of claims.