Malpractice liability and health care quality: a review

Michelle M. Mello; Michael D Frakes; Erik Blumenkranz; David M. Studdert

Review

Emerging Classic

Malpractice liability and health care quality: a review

February 19, 2020

Mello MM, Frakes MD, Blumenkranz E, et al. JAMA. 2020;323(4):352-366.

View more articles from the same authors.

This systematic review synthesized evidence from 37 studies to examine the association between malpractice liability risk and healthcare quality and safety. The review found no evidence of association between liability risk and avoidable hospitalizations or readmissions, and limited evidence supporting an association between risk and mortality (5/20 studies) or patient safety indicators or postoperative complications (2/6 studies).

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