Claims in orthopedic foot/ankle surgery, how can they help to improve quality of care? A retrospective claim analysis

Fay R. K. Sanders; Patricia Wimmer-Boelhouwers; Onno X. Dijt; Gino M. M. J. Kerkhoffs; Tim Schepers

doi:10.1007/s00590-020-02745-9

Claims in orthopedic foot/ankle surgery, how can they help to improve quality of care? A retrospective claim analysis

Fay R. K. Sanders^*
, Patricia Wimmer-Boelhouwers
, Onno X. Dijt
, Gino M. M. J. Kerkhoffs
, Tim Schepers^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

MediRisk, Van Deventerlaan 20, 3503 RK, Utrecht, The Netherlands

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

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Abstract

Background: Orthopedic foot/ankle surgery is a high risk specialty when it comes to malpractice claims. This study aims to evaluate the incidence, characteristics and outcome of claims in this area. Methods: This was a retrospective, 10-year claim analysis, with data from an anonymous database. Baseline claim/claimant characteristics were collected from all orthopedic foot/ankle-related cases. Results: Of 460 claims in total, most were related to delay in/wrong diagnosis or to (complications of) elective surgical procedures. Whether a claim was settled was related to type of injury (fracture) and type of claim (diagnostic mistake). Median amount disbursed in settled claims was €12,549. Claim incidence did not increase over the years. Conclusion: Missed fracture diagnosis and “failed”/disappointing results of elective surgical procedures were the most common causes for claims. Sufficient knowledge of missed (foot) fractures and clear communication/expectation management before elective procedures could help to improve quality of healthcare and patient satisfaction.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	85-93
Number of pages	9
Journal	European journal of orthopaedic surgery and traumatology
Volume	31
Issue number	1
Early online date	2020
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-020-02745-9
Publication status	Published - Jan 2021

Keywords

Ankle
Foot
Malpractice claims
Orthopedic surgery
Trauma surgery

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title = "Claims in orthopedic foot/ankle surgery, how can they help to improve quality of care? A retrospective claim analysis",

abstract = "Background: Orthopedic foot/ankle surgery is a high risk specialty when it comes to malpractice claims. This study aims to evaluate the incidence, characteristics and outcome of claims in this area. Methods: This was a retrospective, 10-year claim analysis, with data from an anonymous database. Baseline claim/claimant characteristics were collected from all orthopedic foot/ankle-related cases. Results: Of 460 claims in total, most were related to delay in/wrong diagnosis or to (complications of) elective surgical procedures. Whether a claim was settled was related to type of injury (fracture) and type of claim (diagnostic mistake). Median amount disbursed in settled claims was €12,549. Claim incidence did not increase over the years. Conclusion: Missed fracture diagnosis and “failed”/disappointing results of elective surgical procedures were the most common causes for claims. Sufficient knowledge of missed (foot) fractures and clear communication/expectation management before elective procedures could help to improve quality of healthcare and patient satisfaction.",

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author = "Sanders, \{Fay R. K.\} and Patricia Wimmer-Boelhouwers and Dijt, \{Onno X.\} and Kerkhoffs, \{Gino M. M. J.\} and Tim Schepers",

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AU - Sanders, Fay R. K.

AU - Wimmer-Boelhouwers, Patricia

AU - Dijt, Onno X.

AU - Kerkhoffs, Gino M. M. J.

AU - Schepers, Tim

PY - 2021/1

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N2 - Background: Orthopedic foot/ankle surgery is a high risk specialty when it comes to malpractice claims. This study aims to evaluate the incidence, characteristics and outcome of claims in this area. Methods: This was a retrospective, 10-year claim analysis, with data from an anonymous database. Baseline claim/claimant characteristics were collected from all orthopedic foot/ankle-related cases. Results: Of 460 claims in total, most were related to delay in/wrong diagnosis or to (complications of) elective surgical procedures. Whether a claim was settled was related to type of injury (fracture) and type of claim (diagnostic mistake). Median amount disbursed in settled claims was €12,549. Claim incidence did not increase over the years. Conclusion: Missed fracture diagnosis and “failed”/disappointing results of elective surgical procedures were the most common causes for claims. Sufficient knowledge of missed (foot) fractures and clear communication/expectation management before elective procedures could help to improve quality of healthcare and patient satisfaction.

AB - Background: Orthopedic foot/ankle surgery is a high risk specialty when it comes to malpractice claims. This study aims to evaluate the incidence, characteristics and outcome of claims in this area. Methods: This was a retrospective, 10-year claim analysis, with data from an anonymous database. Baseline claim/claimant characteristics were collected from all orthopedic foot/ankle-related cases. Results: Of 460 claims in total, most were related to delay in/wrong diagnosis or to (complications of) elective surgical procedures. Whether a claim was settled was related to type of injury (fracture) and type of claim (diagnostic mistake). Median amount disbursed in settled claims was €12,549. Claim incidence did not increase over the years. Conclusion: Missed fracture diagnosis and “failed”/disappointing results of elective surgical procedures were the most common causes for claims. Sufficient knowledge of missed (foot) fractures and clear communication/expectation management before elective procedures could help to improve quality of healthcare and patient satisfaction.

KW - Ankle

KW - Foot

KW - Malpractice claims

KW - Orthopedic surgery

KW - Trauma surgery

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IS - 1

ER -

Claims in orthopedic foot/ankle surgery, how can they help to improve quality of care? A retrospective claim analysis

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