Malpractice Claims in Ophthalmology: A 10-Year Review

Abstract

Address for Correspondence/Yazisma Adresi: Mehmet Hakan Ozdemir MD, Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine, Department of Forensic Medicine, Izmir, Turkey Phone: +90 232 412 28 54 E-mail: hakan.ozdemir@deu.edu.tr Received/Gelis Tarihi: 12.04.2013 Accepted/Kabul Tarihi: 30.07.2013 Objectives: In the literature, there are a limited number of studies related to medical litigation in ophthalmology. We aimed to reveal and discuss the profile of medical malpractice claims and liability of clinicians involved in ophthalmology cases. Ma te ri als and Met hods: We retrospectively reviewed 1531 malpractice claims reported by the Supreme Health Council of Turkey between 1991 and 2000; 59 (3.85%) were related to ophthalmology, and 57 cases could be included in the study. Data including patients’ age, sex, diagnoses, and malpractice claims of judgment, distribution of ophthalmologic subspecialties and results of surgical/medical interventions, and the distribution of liability of health workers in these reports were collected. Results: Most frequently encountered ophthalmologic events which resulted in malpractice claims were: cataract surgery ranked first with 19 malpractice claims (33.3%) followed by traumatic injuries of the eye (15.8%), and erroneous reporting (15.8%). Health personnel were found at fault in 38.6% of the claims. Of the cases, 36.8% were placed in private clinics and hospitals. Lack of care was mostly observed in state hospitals than in private ones. Medicolegal autopsy was performed on 6 of the cases among 8 deaths. Conclusion: These findings would contribute to the data about the profile of medical malpractice claims related to ophthalmology. Revealing the data could be helpful for preventing malpractice claims and faults at similar medical conditions. (Turk J Ophthalmol 2014; 44: 1-5)