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Transparent and open discussion of errors does not increase malpractice risk in trauma patients.

Stewart RM, Corneille MG, Johnston J, et al. Transparent and open discussion of errors does not increase malpractice risk in trauma patients. Ann Surg. 2006;243(5):645-9; discussion 649-51.

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May 10, 2006
Stewart RM, Corneille MG, Johnston J, et al. Ann Surg. 2006;243(5):645-9; discussion 649-51.
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This study demonstrated that discussion of cases at traditional morbidity and mortality (M&M) conferences did not lead to increased risk of litigation. Investigators at a single academic institution used a trauma registry (risk-management database) along with minutes from M&M conferences to evaluate the ratio of lawsuits filed to patients admitted, those admitted with complications, and those presented at M&M conferences. The authors discuss the clinical and legal information from selected malpractice suits but ultimately suggest that their findings support educational venues to discuss medical errors. Furthermore, they discuss the importance of such activities in the context of the patient safety movement and performance improvement activities. A past study evaluated M&M conferences in both surgery and internal medicine to determine the frequency with which cases involving medical errors are discussed.

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Stewart RM, Corneille MG, Johnston J, et al. Transparent and open discussion of errors does not increase malpractice risk in trauma patients. Ann Surg. 2006;243(5):645-9; discussion 649-51.

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