The medical malpractice crisis: what is the cause? Is there a cure?
Medical malpractice liability insurance premiums have been escalating for years and are at an all-time high. Malpractice reform is highly contentious with doctors, insurance companies, and other business interests lobbying to shield themselves from the high cost of lawsuits and multi-million dollar awards, and trial attorneys and patient advocates claiming that suing is the only recourse for people harmed by the healthcare system. Until the courts, lawmakers, and/or insurance companies agree on a solution, however, there are several things a practice and its administration and physicians can do to minimize the occurrence of a malpractice lawsuit. In addition to practicing sound medicine, physicians and their staffs must follow sound business policies and customer service procedures in their practices.
Cascardo
Debra
D
The Cascardo Consulting Group, One Fox Run, Armonk, NY 10504, USA. dcascardo@aol.com
D003675:Defensive Medicine / Q000191:economics* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007351:Insurance, Liability / Q000191:economics* / Q000639:trends; D016365:Liability, Legal / Q000191:economics*; D008318:Malpractice / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends; D011216:Practice Management, Medical; D014481:United States