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Litigation trends and costs in otorhinolaryngology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 August 2015

C W Metcalfe ,
S J Muzaffar  and
C J Coulson
C W Metcalfe*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, City Hospital, Birmingham, UK
S J Muzaffar
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, City Hospital, Birmingham, UK
C J Coulson
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Christopher Metcalfe, Department of Otolaryngology, City Hospital, Dudley Road, Birmingham B18 7QH, UK E-mail: c.w.metcalfe89@gmail.com
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Abstract

Background:

Litigation in surgery is increasing and liabilities are becoming unsustainable. This study aimed to analyse trends in claims, and identify areas for potential risk reduction, improved patient safety and a reduction in the number, and cost, of future claims.

Methods:

Ten years of retrospective data on claims in otorhinolaryngology (2003–2013) were obtained from the National Health Service Litigation Authority via a Freedom of Information request. Data were re-entered into a spreadsheet and coded for analysis.

Results:

A total of 1031 claims were identified; of these, 604 were successful and 427 were unsuccessful. Successful claims cost a total of £41 000 000 (mean, £68 000). The most common areas for successful claims were: failure or delay in diagnosis (137 cases), intra-operative problems (116 cases), failure or delay in treatment (66 cases), failure to warn – informed consent issue (54 cases), and inappropriate treatment (47 cases).

Conclusion:

Over half of the claims in ENT relate to the five most common areas of liability. Recent policy changes by the National Health Service Litigation Authority, over the level of information divulged, limits our learning from claims.

Keywords

JurisprudenceOtolaryngologyAccess To Information

Information

Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 129 , Issue 10 , October 2015 , pp. 941 - 944
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2015 

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