OBJECTIVE: To examine the causes of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) malpractice claims filed with the Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Company. METHODS: All closed ROP malpractice claims were reviewed. RESULTS: Eight cases involved failure of transfer of care on patient discharge from the hospital, 3 cases demonstrated inappropriately long periods between follow-up examinations, 1 case was due to failure of outpatient referral from screening to the treating ophthalmologist, and 1 case concerned unsupervised resident provision of ROP care. CONCLUSIONS: Many preventable factors can be addressed to improve ROP care. It is essential to ensure that ophthalmologists, neonatologists, pediatricians, and families are updated on current guidelines for ROP screening and treatment and to facilitate follow-up appointments before patient discharge from the hospital. Doing so can help avoid future malpractice claims and patient harm.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the causes of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) malpractice claims filed with the Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Company. METHODS: All closed ROP malpractice claims were reviewed. RESULTS: Eight cases involved failure of transfer of care on patient discharge from the hospital, 3 cases demonstrated inappropriately long periods between follow-up examinations, 1 case was due to failure of outpatient referral from screening to the treating ophthalmologist, and 1 case concerned unsupervised resident provision of ROP care. CONCLUSIONS: Many preventable factors can be addressed to improve ROP care. It is essential to ensure that ophthalmologists, neonatologists, pediatricians, and families are updated on current guidelines for ROP screening and treatment and to facilitate follow-up appointments before patient discharge from the hospital. Doing so can help avoid future malpractice claims and patient harm.
Authors: Chace Moleta; J Peter Campbell; Jayashree Kalpathy-Cramer; R V Paul Chan; Susan Ostmo; Karyn Jonas; Michael F Chiang Journal: Am J Ophthalmol Date: 2017-01-11 Impact factor: 5.258
Authors: R V Paul Chan; Steven L Williams; Yoshihiro Yonekawa; David J Weissgold; Thomas C Lee; Michael F Chiang Journal: Retina Date: 2010-06 Impact factor: 4.256
Authors: Stephanie B Engelhard; Sherveen S Salek; Grant A Justin; Austin J Sim; Fasika A Woreta; Ashvini K Reddy Journal: Clin Ophthalmol Date: 2020-07-12
Authors: Mrinali Patel Gupta; R V Paul Chan; Rachelle Anzures; Susan Ostmo; Karyn Jonas; Michael F Chiang Journal: Am J Ophthalmol Date: 2015-12-15 Impact factor: 5.258
Authors: R V Paul Chan; Samir N Patel; Michael C Ryan; Karyn E Jonas; Susan Ostmo; Alexander D Port; Grace I Sun; Andreas K Lauer; Michael F Chiang Journal: Trans Am Ophthalmol Soc Date: 2015