Abstract
Objectives
1) Increase awareness of common missed diagnoses in the practice of otolaryngology. 2) Identify opportunities for improvement in the quality of patient care.
Methods
Working with the State Volunteer Mutual Insurance Company of Tennessee State, we evaluated malpractice claims in otolaryngology that were closed with indemnity payment between 1981 and 2005. We identified all such claims resulting from alleged missed or delayed diagnoses by otolaryngologists. Claims were divided into two main categories based on whether the missed diagnosis was primarily otolaryngologic or non-otolaryngologic.
Results
A total of 9 missed diagnosis claims were identified, representing 9% of claims overall. 6 of the 9 were otolaryngologic missed diagnoses, with the remaining 3 non-otolaryngologic diagnoses. The total indemnity payment for missed diagnosis claims was $4,072,100, representing 32% of all indemnity payments for the study period.
Conclusions
Missed diagnoses represent a danger to patients and a disproportionately high percent of total indemnity payments (32%). Increased awareness of missed diagnoses is necessary to improve patient care and maintain a level of excellence within the field of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery.
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