Ärztepfusch treatment error increased rapidly

German Medical Association reports thousands of treatment errors annually

06/22/2011

More than 11,000 patients turned to the mediation offices last year for alleged medical errors. This emerges from the statistics on the treatment errors in clinics and private practices for the year 2010, according to the latest release of the German Medical Association on Tuesday in Berlin.

The Conciliation Offices have reviewed 7,355 patient complaints about alleged misdiagnoses and treatment errors, and found treatment errors in 2,199 cases. In 1,821 patients, the health consequences of the wrong treatment were so serious that this resulted in a claim for damages by those affected. However, according to the experts, the number of unreported cases is significantly higher. Thus, not only do medical errors constitute an inherent latent risk to patients, they also cause massive health system costs.

Over 11,000 patient complaints due to alleged treatment errors
Because of alleged errors in treatment last year 11,016 patients called the expert commissions and arbitration boards of the medical associations, said the German Medical Association. Of the complaints received, 7,355 cases had been reviewed and 2,199 incorrect treatments or inadequate patient information on the risks of the procedure had been confirmed. In 1,821 cases, the health consequences of clearly attributable treatment errors were so serious that a claim for damages could be derived from this, the German Medical Association continued. According to current statistics, 87 patients died as a result of treatment errors. Although the doctors in Germany, according to the former president of the German Medical Association, Jörg-Dietrich Hoppe, from the beginning of the year are determined to learn from their mistakes and therefore „long ago appropriate structures built up“ which documented the treatment errors, the number of treatment errors in 2010 could not be lowered.

Treatment errors in clinics most often
Treatment errors in clinics and hospitals were the most common cause of patient discomfort, with incorrect focus on knee or hip arthrosis treatments. But also treatment errors in herniated discs, fractures and breast cancer were complained relatively often. Possible consequences of these mistreatments included nerve damage with mobility problems, persisting back pain after surgery and neglected risk information regarding impending interventions. Not infrequently, a new operation was necessary to correct the treatment errors, said the German Medical Association. While in clinics discomfort predominated after surgery, the most prevalent errors in disease diagnosis among patients in private practice were patient criticism. The recommendations for treatment and referrals to specialists and hospitals by the resident physicians, however, ran largely error-free, so the result of the current statistics.
Dark figure: Actually 40,000 patient complaints per year
Since the mediation boards and panels of experts of the medical associations are not the only institutions that patients can turn to for supposed treatment errors, it can be assumed that the number of actual treatment errors is far higher than those published in the current statistics. So do experts like Dr. Andreas Crusius, chairman of the Standing Committee of Expert Commissions and Conciliation Agencies, estimates that patients complain about 40,000 treatments per year in arbitration boards, courts, health insurance or liability insurance, and they are right in every fourth case. Although Dr. According to Andreas Crusius „In recent years, a new culture in dealing with errors has been established in medicine“, Physicians document all errors and near misses, analyze possible causes and develop strategies to avoid mistakes, but a significant reduction in treatment errors has not yet been achieved. Through the consistent follow-up of the motto: „Who wants to avoid mistakes, must know where they happen!“, However, the chairman of the Standing Committee of Expert Commissions and Conciliation Agencies hopes in the future to achieve a significant reduction in treatment errors. As one of the main causes of the faulty treatments called Dr. Andreas Crusius also the increasing pressure to which the doctors are exposed. However, the recorded treatment errors in relation to the 400 million doctor-patient contacts per year are no cause for concern.

Possibilities for complaint of treatment errors
The health expert of the consumer advice center North Rhine-Westphalia, Kai bird, explained meanwhile in the discussion „World Online“, Ideally, patients who have become victims of a treatment error should talk with the attending physician about possible errors. While physicians may not necessarily acknowledge their mistakes, they know the patient's history and can respond most quickly to potential complications. In addition, the current statistics show that the concern of patients in most cases is rather unjustified. If nothing could be achieved in the conversation with the doctor, those affected have the opportunity to contact their health insurance company and ask for support there. Some health insurances maintain a medical service to investigate the possible medical malpractice, which can provide a corresponding opinion, said the expert of the consumer center. In addition, those affected can also obtain a private medical report to prove possible treatment errors, but this usually has to finance the patients themselves. Last but not least, the panels of experts and arbitration boards of the medical associations, which provide free reports on the supposed treatment errors, remain „Of course, occupied by the medical profession“ Kai Vogel explained. In addition, the expert recommends that the person involved turn to a specialist lawyer for medical law in order to clarify the chances of success of a lawsuit in advance. (Fp)

Also read:
Lethal treatment errors from the chief physician
Treatment errors: doctors are often overburdened
Treatment error: doctors removed healthy kidney
Storage of medical treatment errors
Every tenth hospital treatment hurts
Doctors complain about too long working hours