Treatment errors Doctors are often overburdened

Statistics treatment errors of doctors

Stress and fatigue: reasons for medical malpractice.

(23.06.2010) Today, the German Medical Association in Berlin presented the current statistics of treatment errors by doctors. It was noticeable that the number of treatment errors remained constant compared to the previous year. In total, 7424 cases were submitted to the Medical Experts' Committee and Arbitration Board for processing in 2009. In 2184 cases, a treatment error was confirmed by the commission of experts. In one quarter of the cases, the patient suffered health damage. Treatment errors in hip and knee joint arthrosis and arm, leg and ankle fractures - especially in the field of trauma surgery - were found in the most common. In about 70 percent of the cases submitted to the Conciliation Body, no medical errors were confirmed.

The testing center of the German Medical Association has existed since 1975 and is highly valued by patients and doctors as an independent institution. As Chairman Andreas Crusius said at the presentation of the study: "The expert commissions and arbitration boards enjoy a high acceptance among patients and doctors". In about 90 percent of the cases submitted, a dispute is accepted by all those involved. Only 10 percent sue despite arbitration attempt in court.

Conciliation office of the medical profession for patients free of charge and without obligation.
An examination of the cases at the arbitration board of the medical association is free for the applicant. A legal dispute is then still possible if no agreement could be found. Crusius explains: "The patient has the opportunity to apply for an objective assessment free of charge and without bureaucracy".

The reasons for treatment errors are complex. However, it is always noticeable that many treatment errors happen because doctors complain of overloading and stress in the workplace. Doctors who are constantly overloaded also make mistakes. Many mistakes were made in the field of intensive care, because only insufficient agreements were made with the nursing staff. Some doctors are in continuous use for 24 hours. Medical errors can be expensive for physicians. For example, on Tuesday a doctor was sentenced to a fine of 70,000 euros because the doctor recognized a colorectal cancer too late. (Sb)