Malpractice payments by optometrists: an analysis of the national practitioner databank over 18 years.

PURPOSE: The aim of this analysis was to describe characteristics and trends of malpractice payments by optometrists since the inception of the National Provider Data Bank (NPDB) as they assumed increasing prescriptive authority. METHODS: NPDB data files were analyzed for details of optometrist malpractice payments from 1991 through 2008. Payment amounts, sources, and allegations were all identified and summarized, along with geographic and demographic data. RESULTS: Between 1991 and 2008, a total of 609 optometrist malpractice payments were reported nationally, ranging from $50 to $2,050,000 (median, $57,500; mean, $156,055 ± 246,556), with 603 (99%) less than $1,000,000. Annual inflation-adjusted mean dollars and frequency of payments increased only nominally over the 18-year interval, from $154,573 to $155,151, and 30 to 40, respectively. More than half of all cases originated in 11 states. Alleged errors in diagnosis accounted for 55% of all cases. CONCLUSION: Malpractice payments on behalf of optometrists are relatively infrequent (on average, less than 34 nationally each year) and usually relatively small (almost half less than $50,000). The frequency of payments and mean payments have increased little over the last 2 decades.

Stability and infrequency of radiologic technologist malpractice payments: an analysis of the National Practitioner Data Bank.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to describe characteristics and trends of radiologic technologist (RT) malpractice payments. METHODS: National Practitioner Data Bank data files were analyzed for details of RT malpractice payments from 1991 through 2008. Payment amounts, sources, and allegations were all identified and summarized, along with geographic and demographic data. RESULTS: Between 1991 and 2008, a total of 155 RT malpractice payments were reported nationally, ranging from $750 to $11.5 million (median, $57,500; mean, $293,655 +/- $1,305,091), with 153 (99%) <$1 million. Adjusting for outliers and inflation, payments changed little over the 18-year interval. More than half of all cases originated in 8 states, with per capita payments most common in Louisiana and New Jersey. Alleged errors in diagnosis accounted for one third of all cases. CONCLUSION: Malpractice payments on behalf of RTs are very infrequent (on average, <9 nationally each year) and usually relatively small (almost half <$50,000). Frequency and mean adjusted payment have remained stable over nearly two decades, likely related in part to "deep pocket" shielding by hospitals and radiologists.

Integrating disclosure, patient safety and risk management activities.

National Quality Forum safe-practice guidelines encourage hospitals to integrate disclosure, patient safety and risk management activities. Combining collaborative law with a patient safety program in a parallel process makes it possible to achieve this integration. This combination provides for physician-led guidance in determining whether disclosure is required - and, if so, provides mentor assistance with actual disclosure. It offers proactive error prevention by offering a means to quickly utilize information to make safety changes. Additionally, the combination provides an opportunity to access collaborative law at a time when it is still possible to resolve issues without resort to litigation.

National Practitioner Data Bank; change in user fee and elimination of diskette queries--HRSA. Withdrawal.

National Practitioner Data Bank; Change in User Fee and Elimination of Diskette Queries notice, document 98-2637, pages 5811-5812, Volume 63, Number 23, in the issue of Wednesday, February 4, 1998, was published in error and is withdrawn from publication. The correct version of the notice was published on Thursday, January 29, 1998, Document No. 98-2116, Volume 63, Number 19, page 4460.

National Practitioner Data Bank for Adverse Information on Physicians and Other Health Care Practitioners; payment of fees--HRSA. Final rule.

This final rule amends the existing regulations governing the National Practitioner Data Bank for Adverse Information on Physicians and Other Health Care Practitioners (the Data Bank) authorizing the reporting and release of information concerning: Payments made for the benefit of physicians, dentists, and other health care practitioners as a result of medical malpractice actions or claims; and certain adverse actions taken regarding the licenses and clinical privileges of physicians and dentists. This final rule removes restrictions on allowed methods of payment for Data Bank fees.

National Practitioner Data Bank--incomplete and future cloudy.

Nearly six years after the National Practitioner Data Bank was authorized by Congress in the Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986, and more than a year after its actual creation, the device is still only partially operational. What is more, the success of even those limited efforts is being questioned, and the timetable for future developments remains to be firmed up. Also, the costs are much higher than estimated.