Medical providers may have prevented 1,744 lives and saved $1.7 billion in malpractice costs if they have communicated more effectively, based on a CRICO Strategies malpractice study, according to STAT.
The report analyzed 23,658 malpractice cases from 2009 to 2013, which account for about one third of all paid malpractice claims in the nation.
Here are six insights:
1. The malpractice report found 30 percent of the malpractice cases had communication errors.
2. One instance involved a nurse not informing a surgeon that a patient had abdominal pain and a drop in red blood cell level. The patient died of a hemorrhage.
3. The reported noted busy workloads, hierarchical workplace cultures, electronic health record challenges and interruptions contribute to communication errors.
4. Electronic medical records have hurt communications somewhat, as providers sometimes assume other providers will see results even when not flagged.
5. Medical staff miscommunication when transferring patients accounted for 80 percent of medical errors, based on a Joint Commission study.
6. The report suggests improvement through I-PASS, a program Boston Children's Hospital established in 2008. The program offers a way for providers to relay information when changing shifts.
