Abstract
In a multicenter study 4,450 medical malpractice charges collected from 1990 to 2000 in 17 Institutes of Forensic Medicine were evaluated. A rising number of cases during this period is evident. The charges of practice falling below the standard of care were surveyed to determine who informed the prosecution, whether the medical malpractice charges were substantiated, the reaction of the prosecution, the quality of forensic autopsy reports und the expert opinions of forensic pathologists. There is nearly no systematic registration of medical malpractice charges in Germany, although this should be initiated to build up and improve error reporting systems and to improve patient safety.
Translated title of the contribution | Medico-legal expert opinions on medical malpractice: Consequences from the multicentre study commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Health and Social Security |
---|---|
Original language | German |
Journal | Rechtsmedizin |
Volume | 16 |
Issue number | 6 |
Pages (from-to) | 389-396 |
Number of pages | 8 |
ISSN | 0937-9819 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 12.2006 |