Characteristics of medical professional liability claims against dermatologists: data from 2704 closed claims in a voluntary registry.

MedStar author(s):
Citation: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 66(1):78-85, 2012 Jan.PMID: 21757256Institution: MedStar Washington Hospital CenterDepartment: DermatologyForm of publication: Journal ArticleMedline article type(s): Journal ArticleSubject headings: *Dermatology | *Insurance Claim Review/sn [Statistics & Numerical Data] | *Liability, Legal | *Malpractice/sn [Statistics & Numerical Data] | Humans | RegistriesLocal holdings: Available online from MWHC library: 1995 - present, Available in print through MWHC library: 1999 - 2006ISSN:
  • 0190-9622
Name of journal: Journal of the American Academy of DermatologyAbstract: BACKGROUND: The Physician Insurers Association of America established a voluntary registry in 1985 that contains 239,756 closed claims. The registry is maintained for educational programs to reduce patient injury and medical professional liability (MPL) claims.CONCLUSIONS: MPL issues are important to all practicing dermatologists. The most common allegation against dermatologists in this study was improper performance of operative procedures on the skin, excluding skin grafts. Error in diagnosis of malignant melanoma was the next most common allegation. Malignant melanoma claims were paid in 42.2% of cases with an average indemnity payment of LIMITATIONS: The data are subject to selection and reporting biases. In addition, the registry does not contain exposure data, so incidences and prevalences are not calculable.METHODS: Descriptive techniques are used to present summary information for the dermatologic claims in the registry.OBJECTIVE: This report provides a description of MPL claims against dermatologists.RESULTS: Of 239,756 closed claims, 2704 (1.1%) involve dermatologists. Of the 2704 closed claims, 775 (28.7%) resulted in an average indemnity payment of All authors: Moshell AN, Oetgen WJ, Parikh PDDigital Object Identifier: Date added to catalog: 2013-09-17
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Item type Current library Collection Call number Status Date due Barcode
Journal Article MedStar Authors Catalog Article Available 21757256

Available online from MWHC library: 1995 - present, Available in print through MWHC library: 1999 - 2006

BACKGROUND: The Physician Insurers Association of America established a voluntary registry in 1985 that contains 239,756 closed claims. The registry is maintained for educational programs to reduce patient injury and medical professional liability (MPL) claims.

CONCLUSIONS: MPL issues are important to all practicing dermatologists. The most common allegation against dermatologists in this study was improper performance of operative procedures on the skin, excluding skin grafts. Error in diagnosis of malignant melanoma was the next most common allegation. Malignant melanoma claims were paid in 42.2% of cases with an average indemnity payment of 36,843. By focusing on the risk management of these procedures and this diagnosis, dermatologists can have the largest impact on reducing patient injuries and consequent MPL claims. Copyright 2010 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

LIMITATIONS: The data are subject to selection and reporting biases. In addition, the registry does not contain exposure data, so incidences and prevalences are not calculable.

METHODS: Descriptive techniques are used to present summary information for the dermatologic claims in the registry.

OBJECTIVE: This report provides a description of MPL claims against dermatologists.

RESULTS: Of 239,756 closed claims, 2704 (1.1%) involve dermatologists. Of the 2704 closed claims, 775 (28.7%) resulted in an average indemnity payment of 37,538. The most common allegation was improper procedure performance. The most prevalent procedure was operative procedures on the skin. Error in diagnosis was the next most common allegation. The most common diagnosis was malignant melanoma. Malignant melanoma claims were paid in 42.2% of cases with an average indemnity payment of 36,843.

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