RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To examine paediatric malpractice claims and identify common characteristics likely to result in malpractice in children in France. DESIGN AND MATERIALS: First, the authors did a retrospective and descriptive analysis of all paediatric malpractice claims involving children aged 1 month to 18 years, in which the defendant was coded as paediatrician or general practitioner, reported to the Sou Médical-groupe MASCF insurance company during a 5-year period (2003-2007). Then, a comparison of these results with those from the USA was performed. RESULTS: The average annual incidence of malpractice claims was 0.8/100 paediatricians. 228 malpractice claims were studied and were more frequent (41%) with more severe outcomes in children younger than 2 years of age (52% deaths or major injuries). Meningitis (n=14) and dehydration (n=13) were the leading causes of claims, with highest mortalities (93% and 92%, respectively). The most common alleged misadventures were diagnosis-related error (47%), and medication error (13%). Malignancy was the most common medical condition incorrectly diagnosed (14%). CONCLUSIONS: Paediatric malpractice claims are less frequent in France than in the USA, but they share many similarities with those in the USA. These data would enhance the knowledge of high-risk areas in paediatric care that could be targeted to reduce the risk of medical malpractices and to improve patient safety.
Assuntos
Imperícia/estatística & dados numéricos , Pediatria/normas , Adolescente , Fatores Etários , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Compensação e Reparação , Erros de Diagnóstico/legislação & jurisprudência , Erros de Diagnóstico/mortalidade , Erros de Diagnóstico/estatística & dados numéricos , Feminino , França/epidemiologia , Humanos , Lactente , Masculino , Imperícia/legislação & jurisprudência , Pediatria/legislação & jurisprudência , Pediatria/estatística & dados numéricos , Estudos RetrospectivosAssuntos
Imperícia/legislação & jurisprudência , Imperícia/estatística & dados numéricos , Pediatria/legislação & jurisprudência , Pediatria/estatística & dados numéricos , Adolescente , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Comparação Transcultural , Estudos Transversais , França , Humanos , Incidência , Lactente , Recém-Nascido , Corpo Clínico Hospitalar/legislação & jurisprudência , Corpo Clínico Hospitalar/estatística & dados numéricos , Prática Privada/legislação & jurisprudência , Prática Privada/estatística & dados numéricos , Estados UnidosRESUMO
This study on surgeons' medical-legal responsibility was based on a retrospective analysis of closed files involving surgeons insured by Le Sou Médical. A total of 122 files of bodily injury settled during 1998 were studied; 32% of the files in this series which had been settled in or out of court were found to be at fault; the total cost was over 7 million francs. The analysis of these files has shown that the majority of accidents resulting in legal proceedings could have been avoided.
