Bariatric-related medical malpractice experience: survey results among ASMBS members.
BACKGROUND
The medicolegal aspects of bariatric surgery are very difficult to analyze scientifically because there is no central, searchable database of closed case claims and little incentive for malpractice insurers to divulge data. Examining medicolegal data may provide insight into the financial and psychological burden on physicians. Detailed data also may be used to improve patient safety and determine common causes of negligence.


METHODS
All U.S.-based members of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons were asked to complete a survey regarding their bariatric-related medical malpractice experience.


RESULTS
Of the 1672 eligible members that received the survey, 330 responded (19.7%). Mean years in practice was 15.3 ± 9. Mean annual cost of malpractice insurance was $59,200 ± $52,000 (N = 197). The respondent surgeons experienced 1.5 ± 3.2 lawsuits on average over the course of their practice. Of the 330 respondents, 144 (48%) did not report a bariatric-related lawsuit filed against them. Of the 464 lawsuits reported by 156 surgeons, 126 were settled out of court (27%), 249 were dropped (54%), and 54 (18%) went to trial. Seventy-two percent of cases that went to trial were found to be in favor of the defense. The mean lifetime amount paid for suits was $250,000±$660,000. The probability of a bariatric surgeon experiencing a lawsuit was independently associated with the years in practice (P = .03) and number of total cases the surgeon has performed (P = .01). The annual cost of malpractice insurance was independently predicted by the amount paid in previous claims (P = .01).


CONCLUSIONS
The probability of a medical malpractice lawsuit correlates positively to the number of procedures performed and the number of years the surgeon has been in practice.
Einstein Healthcare Network, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Electronic address: Dallalr@einstein.edu.
Ramsey M
RM
Dallal
Einstein Healthcare Network, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
John
J
Pang
Einstein Healthcare Network, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Ian
I
Soriano
Bariatric Medical Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Daniel
D
Cottam
Sacred Heart Health System, Pensacola, Florida.
Jeffrey
J
Lord
American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, Gainesville, Florida.
Susan
S
Cox
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D052938:Bariatric Medicine / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D050110:Bariatric Surgery / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007351:Insurance, Liability / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016365:Liability, Legal / Q000191:economics; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D061214:Patient Safety; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
Bariatric surgery; Medical malpractice; Negligence; Patient safety