Synthesis

Medical Malpractice Outline  I. Introduction: a. Reference completed introduction.  II. Topic One: Define medical malpractice and its different facets. a. Quote: “We should all be aware of the four components of malpractice. (1) The physician had a duty, (2) breached the duty, (3) resulting in harm to the patient, and (4) the harm was caused by the breach of duty. Typically, if a lawyer proves all four elements are present, the physician is liable for damages” (Moore).  i. Explanation of Quote: In other words, a physician must always keep in mind their purpose for practice. This may come in the in their mission statement or in some other form, but, essentially, they are here to provide care for their patients. If they wrong their patient in any way, they must be punished; however, the case must be appropriate. b. Quote: “A physician who fails to meet the profession’s customary standard of adequate care and thereby injures a patient can be sued for negligence. The injured patient is entitled to compensation under the law of medical malpractice, which is a particular application of tort law – that amorphous web of rules that governs injuries to person or property where crime or contract is not at issue” (Danzon 1).  i. Explanation of Quote: This is the clear definition of medical malpractice. If the doctor breaches any of these aspects, they are liable for malpractice. c. Quote: “Injury, negligence, and proximate cause are the three fundamental elements that determine a malpractice case” (Gots 28).  i. Explanation of Quote: Go on to describe all three. May result in separate paragraphs, depending on the amount of space.  ii. Patients often believe that any unusual and unanticipated complication as evidence of negligence, or the failure to exercise that degree of care that, in the circumstances, the law requires for the protection of other persons or those interests of other persons that may be injuriously affected by the want of such care. Patients “go to their physicians with confidence and high hopes, and when events take a surprising turn for the worse, they are certain that the doctor must be at fault” (Gots 45). d.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Quote: “To hold a physician liable for malpractice, a judge or jury must find that the physician’s conduct falls below the standard of medical care. Determining what constitutes that peculiar standard of care against which the physician’s actions are measure is not a simple matter, particularly because the legal and medical communities often differ in their perspectives” (Nasca 33). <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> i.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Explanation of Quote: A medical professional is very different from a legal professional. They both had completely differing views on the other and the case and they see each other as enemies. However, both parties know that some cases are simply ridiculous, yet the legal representatives must attempt to bring down and discredit the medical professional. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> III.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Topic Two: Address the Consequences of medical malpractice. Make sure to address this from both points of view, not necessarily the doctor’s point of view. a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Quote: “The fear of being subject to a lawsuit is pervasive in medicine and may affect how one practices. The angst is perhaps more proportionate to the perception of the pain and humiliation associated with the process and character of a lawsuit than to the frequency of occurrence” (Feld). <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> i.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Explanation of Quote: Being sued for medical malpractice is an extremely taxing experience for the mind and body. The simple stress of knowing that someone believes you have wronged them is unbelievable. Even worse is the fact that you attempted to help this person and this is how they repay you! How dare they? Doctors do not deserve this type of disrespect because at the end of the day, these lawsuits may be taking away professionals that were meant to save another human life, but now they will not have that opportunity because their name and career have been tarnished. b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Quote: “The consequences of being sued are not merely the time spent in defense preparation but may involve personal loss of self-esteem, depression, family stress, credentialing issues and financial worry” (Feld). <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> i.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Explanation of Quote: Reference above explanation. c.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Quote: “The deputy hands you the malpractice claim document (summons) and you return to your office embarrassed and angry. Next to losing a loved one, this is one of the most gut-wrenching experiences you will encounter. It is hard to believe that someone you attempted to help and care for could now make such a claim against you” (Nasca 245). <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> i.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Explanation of Quote: Reference above quote. d.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Quote: “If so, you should consider the following statistics: Overall, plaintiffs won just 30.5% of medical liability cases in 2002. Of the 7% of cases proceeding to a jury verdict, the defendant won 82.4% of the time” (Nasca 247). <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> i.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Explanation of Quote: This is a fairly comforting statistic. Not all cases end in unfavorable results and thus doctors have a chance. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> IV.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Topic Three: Discuss previous malpractice cases that take place in Pennsylvania. Try to focus more on pediatrics, if possible. a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Quote: “In Pennsylvania, ‘standard of care’ means the practitioner must ‘possess and employ in the treatment of a patient the skill and usually possessed by physicians in the same or a similar locality, giving due regard to the advanced state of the profession at the time of the treatment’” (Rapp 19). <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> i.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Explanation of Quote: Examine. b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Quote: Kenneth Hamil was brought to a hospital late at night with severe chest pains. The supervisor told his wife to bring him in, however, the electrocardiograph would not work and a second machine could not be found. MR. Hamil was taken to a physician’s office where he died while an ECG was being taken. His wife sued the hospital and the doctor ordering the ECG at the hospital (Rapp 22). <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> i.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Explanation of Quote: Examine. c.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Quote: “A 16-year old boy had a curvature of the spine secondary to polio. He would need surgery if he were to have any chance of a normal life. His doctor wanted to operate, but not under the ‘no transfusions’ restriction placed by the child’s Jehovah’s Witness mother. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court refused to substitute its judgment for the mother’s, citing the lack of an immediate threat to the child’s life” (Rapp 36). <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> i.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Explanation of Quote: Examine. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> V.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Topic Four: Discuss how malpractice may be prevented. a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Quote: “Complications are a risk area. Do not ignore post-complication care out of embarrassment, fear, or concern that your answers to questions may later be quoted in a suit. Make certain the patient is well cared for by your medical and surgical colleagues, as well as by you. Engage your clinic or hospital risk management team if appropriate” (Feld). <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> i.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Explanation of Quote: Make sure to discuss everything with the patient and give them ample warning of all results. b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Quote: “E-mails are discoverable. Remember the old saying: never e-mail anything you would not want on the front page of your newspaper” (Feld). <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> i.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Explanation of Quote: Make sure to keep personal records private. Sometimes, written documentation may even be better. c.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Quote: “The electronic medical record (EMR) may become a fertile area for the plaintiff’s attorneys. EMR policies regarding timing of response and completeness for staff-to-staff and patient-to-staff communications may prevent challenges about poor follow-up” (Feld). <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> i.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Explanation of Quote: Make sure that everything in the practice is malpractice free. Make sure to keep records up to date and make sure that all logs are kept. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> VI.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Topic Five: Discuss possible ways to alleviate the amount of medical malpractice. a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> To be determined at a later time. VII.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Conclusion: a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Thesis: In order to prevent medical malpractice, a doctor must understand the term, know the consequences, understand previous case law in the practicing area, and all preventative measures to ensure the best quality and quantity of care for their patients. b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Closing statement: Make sure to sum up all ideas.