title: [Medical malpractice in ophthalmology].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The increasing number of patients taking action for medical malpractice (MM) is a burden for the medical practitioners accused. After the assessment through an arbitration committee, which is free of cost for the patients,a large number of lawsuits can be avoided. Discussion of patient complaints and analyzing cases of MM is an important concern for the medical community in order to reduce errors in treatment and to contribute to patient safety.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patient applications to the arbitration committee of the medical association of North-Rhine ("Gutachterkommission Nordrhein") for review of MM in the field of ophthalmology in the years 1999-2010 were analyzed statistically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the years 1999-2010 a total of 583 cases were related to ophthalmology (3% of all cases) and in 122 cases (21%) MM was recognized by the committee. In 61% of the cases MM was caused by errors in diagnosis, in 24% by errors in processes and in 15% by errors in surgical procedures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The proportion of ophthalmological cases in the total number of MM cases is low. Most errors in diagnosis are caused by the lack of basic diagnostic on examination procedures. Errors in processes are caused by instrumental errors and deficient communication. An important reason for errors in surgical procedures is a deficient management of complications. A standardized workflow of medical examinations and a quality management can help to avoid MM.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Düsseldorf. Kristina.Spaniol@med.uni-duesseldorf.de
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Spaniol
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thanos
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Friedburg
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stupp
mesh_terms: D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008318:Malpractice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends