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.
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.
Authors: Lucy M Perrem; Thomas R Fanshawe; Farhana Sharif; Annette Plüddemann; Michael B O'Neill Journal: Eur J Pediatr Date: 2016-09-08 Impact factor: 3.183
Authors: Yvette van Ierland; Gijs Elshout; Marjolein Y Berger; Yvonne Vergouwe; Marcel de Wilde; Johan van der Lei; Henriëtte A Mol; Rianne Oostenbrink Journal: Br J Gen Pract Date: 2015-04 Impact factor: 5.386
Authors: Josephine S van de Maat; Daphne van Klink; Anine den Hartogh-Griffioen; Eva Schmidt-Cnossen; Hester Rippen; Amber Hoek; Sarah Neill; Monica Lakhanpaul; Henriette A Moll; Rianne Oostenbrink Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2018-08-30 Impact factor: 2.692