title: Patient Safety and the Malpractice System.
abstract: The cost of health care in the United States and malpractice insurance has escalated greatly over the past 30 years. In an ideal world, the goals of the tort system would be aligned with efforts at improving safety. In fact, there is little evidence that the tort system and the processes of risk management and informed consent have improved patient safety. This article explores the disunion between patient safety and the malpractice system.
authors.affiliation: Advanced Specialty Education in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Minnesota, 7-174 Moos Tower, School of Dentistry, 515 Delaware St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 0329, USA. Electronic address: Swift001@umn.edu.
authors.forename: James Q
authors.initials: JQ
authors.lastname: Swift
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007351:Insurance, Liability; D016365:Liability, Legal; D008318:Malpractice; D061214:Patient Safety; D012308:Risk Management; D014481:United States
keywords: Informed consent; Patient safety; Risk management; Tort system