Tolisano Anthony M, Song Sungjin A, Ruhl Douglas S, Littlefield Philip D
Department of Otolaryngology, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, HI, USA.
Department of Otolaryngology, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, HI, USA.
Am J Otolaryngol. 2017 Jul-Aug;38(4):401-404. doi: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2017.03.009. Epub 2017 Mar 31.
To assess malpractice claims related to the management of dizziness in otolaryngology in order to improve care and minimize the risk of litigation.
This is a retrospective review of the LexisNexis "Jury Verdicts and Settlements" database. All lawsuits and out of court adjudications related to the management of dizziness by otolaryngologists were collected. Data including patient demographics, plaintiff allegation, procedure performed, and indemnities were analyzed.
Of 21 cases meeting inclusion criteria, 17 were decided by a trial jury and four were resolved out of court. Jury verdicts favored the plaintiff 53% of the time and a payout was made in 57% of cases overall. Average payments were higher for jury verdicts in favor of the plaintiff ($1.8 million) as compared to out of court settlements ($545,000). Two-thirds of cases involved surgery, most commonly stapes surgery. Legal allegations, including physical injury, negligence, and lack of informed consent failed to predict the legal outcome.
Appropriate examination, testing, and referrals within a timely manner are crucial in the management of dizzy patients to avoid misdiagnoses. It is imperative that patients undergoing ear surgery are appropriately counseled that dizziness is a potential complication. The analysis of malpractice literature is complementary to clinical studies, with the potential to educate practitioners, improve patient care, and mitigate risk.
评估与耳鼻喉科头晕管理相关的医疗事故索赔，以改善护理并将诉讼风险降至最低。
这是对LexisNexis“陪审团裁决与和解”数据库的回顾性研究。收集了所有与耳鼻喉科医生对头晕的管理相关的诉讼和庭外裁决。分析了包括患者人口统计学、原告指控、所进行的手术以及赔偿等数据。
在符合纳入标准的21例病例中，17例由陪审团审判决定，4例庭外解决。陪审团裁决在53%的情况下支持原告，总体上57%的案件进行了赔偿。与庭外和解（54.5万美元）相比，陪审团裁决支持原告的平均赔偿额更高（180万美元）。三分之二的病例涉及手术，最常见的是镫骨手术。包括身体伤害、疏忽和缺乏知情同意在内的法律指控未能预测法律结果。
对头晕患者进行及时恰当的检查、测试和转诊对于避免误诊至关重要。必须对接受耳部手术的患者进行适当的咨询，告知他们头晕是一种潜在并发症。对医疗事故文献的分析是对临床研究的补充，有可能教育从业者、改善患者护理并降低风险。
