ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To explore the general characteristics of medical negligence in surgery in order to provide the reference for forensic practices.@*METHODS@#One hundred and twelve cases of medical negligence in surgical department were retrospectively analyzed in Fada Institute of Forensic Medicine and Science from 2008 to 2010.@*RESULTS@#The common types of medical negligence cases in the surgery were improper operation procedure (28.57%), failure of consent (26.79%), and inadequate monitoring (22.32%). The results of complications included disability or functional impairment (61.61%), death (31.25%) and transient impairment with no obvious adverse reactions (7.14%). The most common roles played by the medical negligence cases were minor role (26.79%), equal role (19.64%), and slight role (14.29%).@*CONCLUSION@#Significant attention should be paid to the operation procedure, consent, and monitoring. It should be cautious to not make assessment on involvement degree of medical negligence.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Cause of Death , China , Diagnostic Errors/statistics & numerical data , Expert Testimony/legislation & jurisprudence , Forensic Medicine , Informed Consent , Intraoperative Complications/mortality , Malpractice/statistics & numerical data , Medical Errors/statistics & numerical data , Retrospective Studies , Surgical Procedures, OperativeABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#The purpose of this study was to use autopsy to explore cause of death and to identify medical errors after cardiac surgery.@*METHODS@#Clinical and autopsy findings in 6 cases were analyzed with respect to the clinical diagnosis, operation types, death time and features, and autopsy findings, medico-legal disputes and related medical errors.@*RESULTS@#There were total 6 patients. The procedures involve cardiac valve replacement (4), coronary artery bypass (1), and congenital aortic transposition repair (1). Three patients had sudden death one week after surgery and 3 from congestive heart failure. The findings include myocardial infarction (2), massive myocardial injury (1), endocarditis (2), and multi-organ failure (1). The families in all six cases suspected malpractice. The major concerns were operation indication and timing, selection of operation equipment, operative mishandling, inadequate post-operative care and timely therapeutic invention, inadequate informed consent regarding the severity of the disease itself, the risks of heart surgery, and its prognosis after the procedures.@*CONCLUSION@#Autopsy can be used to determine the cause of death, to assess the quality of the operation and post operation management, and to help to resolve malpractice disputes