Who judges medical practice?

Lawsuits due to patient perception of inappropriate medical actions are a growing reality in medical practice, which entails widespread concern in the medical community. Lawsuits often entail additional circumstances beyond the primary concern of preventing or sanctioning acts of medical negligence. CETREMI proposes various recommendations aimed at legal and medical professionals to improve this circumstance and avoid harming the doctor-patient relationship.

Las demandas judiciales por la percepción del paciente de una actuación médica inadecuada son una realidad creciente en la práctica médica, la cual entraña una preocupación extendida en el gremio médico. Las demandas judiciales frecuentemente conllevan circunstancias adicionales a la primaria preocupación de prevenir o sancionar actos de negligencia médica. CETREMI emite algunas recomendaciones a los profesionales jurídicos y médicos para mejorar esta situación y evitar daños en la relación médico-paciente.

Medicolegal aspects of documentation and the electronic health record.

INTRODUCTION: The busiest times in the hospital are often met by the greatest challenges in complete and comprehensive documentation of the patient care event. The near complete transition to the Electronic Health Record (EHR) was to be the solution to a host of provider documentation concerns. It is clear the EHR provides reliability, reproducibility, integration, evidence based decision-making, multidisciplinary contribution across the entire healthcare spectrum. METHODS: The use of a consensus of expert opinion supplemented by focused literature review allows a balanced evidence based presentation of data. RESULTS: Documentation is not a perfect tool however, as issues with efficiency, reliability, use of shortcut maneuvers and potential for increased medico-legal risk have been raised. The solution is attention to documentation detail, and creation of systems that facilitate excellence. The focus on electronic documentation systems should include continual evaluation, ongoing improvement, involvement of a multidisciplinary patient care team and vendor receptiveness to in EHR development and operations. CONCLUSION: The most effective use of the EHR as a risk management tool requires documentation knowledge, targeted analysis, product improvement and co-development of clinical-commercial resource.

Infracción del deber de cuidado y responsabilidad penal del profesional de la salud

Introducción: A pesar de su antigüedad la cuestión de la responsabilidad jurídico-penal del profesional de la salud adquiere cada vez mayor importancia en el orden teórico y práctico, en cuyo escenario se pone de manifiesto una excesiva judicialización de la actividad médica como mecanismo de tutela de los derechos del paciente. Objetivo: Sistematizar las diferentes posturas teóricas que en la actualidad se aprecian en torno a la judicialización de la actividad médica y las causas que la estimulan. Método: Se llevó a cabo un estudio de carácter documental a través de una revisión bibliográfica exhaustiva en buscadores bibliográficos como Scopus, SciELO, Google Académico y PubMed. La indagación de carácter argumentativa y exploratoria se realizó el 16 de marzo de 2023 y de los 30 artículos encontrados que abordaron la problemática de la mala praxis médica, solo 11 fueron elegidos para el estudio según criterios de selección. Desarrollo: Se sistematizaron las posturas teóricas sobre la judicialización de la actividad médica y las causas que la estimulan; además se determina la correcta interpretación de la lex artis como mecanismo de heterointegración normativa del deber de cuidado del ejecutor de actos médicos, en aras de evitar excesos en la aplicación de la ley penal en este ámbito de actuación profesional. Consideraciones finales: Una mayor intervención del Derecho Penal en el ejercicio de la Medicina no es el paradigma político criminal más eficiente en aras de proteger la vida e integridad del paciente frente a hechos de mala praxis médica.

Introduction: Legal and criminal liability of the health professionals, regardless its antiquity, at present has becoming more and more theoretical and practical relevance in which an excessive judicialization of medical activity is revealed as a mechanism for the protection of patient rights. Objective: Systematization of the different theoretical positions that are currently identified around the judicialization process of medical activity and the likely causes that stimulate it. Method: A documentary study was carried out through an exhaustive bibliographic review in bibliographic search engines such as Scopus, SciELO, Google Scholar and PubMed. The argumentative and exploratory research was conducted on March 16, 2023 and of the 30 articles found concerning medical malpractice, only 11 were chosen for the study with strict selection criteria. Development: The theoretical positions on the judicialization of medical activity and the causes that stimulate it were systematized; in addition, the correct interpretation of the lex artis was presented as a mechanism of normative heterointegration of the duty of care by the medical personnel, in order to avoid excesses in the application of the criminal law in this area of professional activity. Final considerations: A much greater intervention of criminal law in the practice of medicine is not the most efficient policy to protect the life and integrity of the patient in the face up to the medical malpractice.

Introdução: Apesar de sua idade, a questão da responsabilidade jurídico-penal do profissional de saúde adquire cada vez maior importância na ordem teórica e prática, cenário em que se revela uma excessiva judicialização da atividade médica como mecanismo de proteção dos direitos. do paciente. Objetivo: Sistematizar as diferentes posições teóricas que se apreciam atualmente em torno da judicialização da atividade médica e as causas que a estimulam. Método: Foi realizado um estudo documental por meio de revisão bibliográfica exaustiva em buscadores bibliográficos como Scopus, SciELO, Google Acadêmico e PubMed. A investigação argumentativa e exploratória foi realizada no dia 16 de março de 2023 e dos 30 artigos encontrados que abordavam o problema da impericía médica, apenas 11 foram escolhidos para o estudo de acordo com os critérios de seleção. Desenvolvimiento: Foram sistematizados os posicionamentos teóricos sobre a judicialização da atividade médica e as causas que a estimulam; Além disso, determina-se a correta interpretação da lex artis como mecanismo de heterointegração normativa do dever de cuidado do executor de atos médicos, a fim de evitar excessos na aplicação do direito penal neste campo de atuação profissional. Considerações finais: Uma maior intervenção do Direito Penal no exercício da Medicina não é o paradigma político criminal mais eficiente a fim de proteger a vida e a integridade do paciente contra atos de imperícia médica.

¿Quién juzga la actuación médica? / Who judges medical practice?

Resumen Las demandas judiciales por la percepción del paciente de una actuación médica inadecuada son una realidad creciente en la práctica médica, la cual entraña una preocupación extendida en el gremio médico. Las demandas judiciales frecuentemente conllevan circunstancias adicionales a la primaria preocupación de prevenir o sancionar actos de negligencia médica. CETREMI emite algunas recomendaciones a los profesionales jurídicos y médicos para mejorar esta situación y evitar daños en la relación médico-paciente.

Abstract Lawsuits due to patient perception of inappropriate medical actions are a growing reality in medical practice, which entails widespread concern in the medical community. Lawsuits often entail additional circumstances beyond the primary concern of preventing or sanctioning acts of medical negligence. CETREMI proposes various recommendations aimed at legal and medical professionals to improve this circumstance and avoid harming the doctor-patient relationship.

The determinants of defensive medicine in Italian hospitals: The impact of being a second victim.

BACKGROUND: Defensive medicine affects healthcare systems worldwide. The concerns and perception about medical liability could lead practitioners to practise defensive medicine. Second victim is a healthcare worker involved in an unanticipated adverse patient event. The role of being second victim and the other possible determinants for defensive medicine is mostly unclear. OBJECTIVE: To study the condition of being second victim as a possible determinants of defensive medicine among Italian hospital physicians. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A secondary analysis of the database of the national survey study on the prevalence and the costs of defensive medicine in Italy that was carried out between April 2014 and June 2014 in 55 Italian hospitals was performed for this study. The demographic section of the questionnaire was selected including the physician's age, gender, specialty, activity volume, grade and the variable being a second victim after an adverse event. RESULTS: A total sample of 1313 physicians (87.5% response rate) was used in the data analyses. Characteristics of the participants included a mean age 49.2 of years and 19.4 average years of experience. The most prominent predictor for practising defensive medicine was the physicians' experience of being a second victim after an adverse event (OR=1.88; 95%CI, 1.38-2.57). Other determinants included age, years of experience, activity volume and risk of specialty. CONCLUSIONS: Malpractice reform, effective support to second victims in hospitals together with a systematic use of evidence-based clinical guidelines, emerged as possible recommendations for reducing defensive medicine.

[Analysis of judicial sentences issued against traumatologists between 1995 and 2011 as regards medical negligence]. / Análisis de sentencias judiciales relativas a negligencias médicas emitidas contra traumatólogos entre 1995 y 2011.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Traumatology and Orthopaedic Surgery is one of the specialities with most complaints due to its scope and complexity. The aim of this study is to determine the characteristics of the complaints made against medical specialists in Traumatology, taking into account those variables that might have an influence both on the presenting of the complaint as well as on the resolving of the process. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An analysis was performed on 303 legal judgments (1995-2011) collected in the health legal judgements archive of the Madrid School of Medicine, which is linked to the Westlaw Aranzadi data base. RESULTS: Civil jurisdiction was the most used. The specific processes with most complaints were bone-joint disorders followed by vascular-nerve problems and infections. The injury claimed against most was in the lower limb, particularly the knee. The most frequent general cause of complaint was surgical treatment error, followed by diagnostic error. There was lack of information in 14.9%. There was sentencing in 49.8% of the cases, with compensation mainly being less than 50,000 euros. CONCLUSIONS: Traumatology and Orthopaedic Surgery is a speciality prone to complaints due to malpractice. The number of sentences against traumatologists is high, but compensations are usually less than 50,000 euros. The main reason for sentencing is surgical treatment error; thus being the basic surgical procedure and where precautions should be maximised. The judgements due to lack of information are high, with adequate doctor-patient communication being essential as well as the correct completion of the informed consent.

O Erro médico sob o olhar do Judiciário: uma investigação no Tribunal de Justiça do Distrito Federal e Territórios / The medical error under the eyes of the Judiciary: an investigation at the Court of Justice of Federal District and Territories / La mala praxis bajo la mirada del poder judicial: una investigación ante el Tribunal de Justicia del Distrito Federal y Territorios

Objetivo: A atividade do profissional da área médica pode suscitar em morte do paciente ou o comprometimento de sua integridade física ou de sua saúde, por conduta culposa (negligência, imperícia ou imprudência). Esses atos geram ações de responsabilidade civil levando-o a ressarcir os danos produzidos ao paciente ou ações de responsabilidade penal trazendo consequências criminais agente. Método acórdãos em segunda instância disponível no site do TJDFT no período de 2013 a 2015, utilizando os termos "erro médico" no campo disponibilizado para pesquisa resultando um total de 204 processos. Resultados: Desta analise 97% dos processos foram julgados pela justiça comum e 3% por juizados especiais; 1% tratavam de dano material, 46% sobre danos morais e 53% relacionados a danos morais e materiais; as especialidades de menor participação nos pleitos de erro médico foram endocrinologia, dermatologia, fisioterapia, pneumologia, proctologia e erros provenientes da farmácia enquanto as com maior número de processos foram gineco-obstetrícia, cirurgia geral e plástica; encontramos ações cujo o réu foi o setor privado em 51%, o setor público 44% e individual em 5% dos processos analisados; as sentenças foram improcedentes em 57%, procedentes em 22% parcialmente procedentes em 19% e extintos em 2% dos processos analisados. Conclusão: A influência jurídica dentro da prática médica vem a moldar as atitudes e as práticas de saúde nos serviços motivado pelas repercussões legais e também pelas consequências econômicas para a gestão sendo um reflexo de uma sociedade em que a afirmação de direitos e a ideia de ter sofrido uma lesão compensável é entendida como a responsabilidade de um bom profissional ou de um bom serviço de saúde. O médico não deve ser considerado o único responsável e causador do dano pois é necessário que todas as partes envolvidas estejam engajadas nas mudanças sugeridas pela Organização Mundial de Saúde e que merecem ser implementadas. Palavras-chave: Judicialização. Erro médico. Direito à Saúde. Saúde Pública.

Objective: Actions related to health professionals can end in death of the patient or impairment of his or her physical integrity and health, through misconduct (negligence, malpractice or recklessness). These actions can lead to civil liability towards compensating damages towards the patient or criminal liability actions towards criminal charges. Methods: This article performed a jurisprudential research with data collected from second instance judgments available on the TJDFT website throughout 2013 to 2015, using the terms "medical error" in the research field involving 204 cases. Results: From this analysis 97% of the cases were judged by the common justice and 3% by special courts; 1% dealt with material damage, 46% about moral damages and 53% on moral and material damages. Specialties with fewer participation in medical error lawsuits were endocrinology, dermatology, physiotherapy, pneumology, proctology and errors from the pharmacy, whereas lawsuits with most cases were gynecological-obstetrics, general and plastic surgery. We found actions whose defendant was the private sector in 51%, the public sector in 44% and individual in 5% of the analyzed cases. The sentences were dismissed in 57%, ruled in favor of the plaintiff 22% partially in favor 19% and extinguished in 2% of the lawsuits analyzed. Conclusion: The legal influence within medical practice shapes health attitudes and practices in medical services motivated by the legal repercussions and also by the economic management consequences as a reflection of a society in which rights affirmation and the idea of undergoing an indemnable injury is understood as the responsibility of a good professional or a good health service. Physicians should not be considered the sole responsible of the harmful event and all parties related should be involved in the changes that deserve to be performed and were once suggested by the world health organization.

Objective: El campo de la medicina de la actividad profesional puede aumentar las tasas de muerte del paciente o el compromiso de su integridad física o su salud, por conducta culposa. Estas acciones generan acciones de responsabilidad que lo llevó a compensar el daño causado a las demandas de los pacientes o de responsabilidad penal que traen consecuencias criminales. Métodos: En este artículo se llevó a una investigación judicial de la recolección de datos de los juicios en apelación disponibles en el sitio TJDFT 2013-2015, utilizando los términos "error médico" en el campo correspondiente para la investigación que resulta en un total de 204 casos. Resultados: Este análisis el 97% de los casos fueron juzgados por los tribunales ordinarios y 3% por los tribunales especiales; 1% tratada daños materiales, el 46% de daño moral y el 53% en relación con los daños morales y materiales; las especialidades de menor participación en demandas por negligencia médica eran endocrinología, dermatología, fisioterapia, neumología, proctología y los errores de la farmacia, mientras que el mayor número de casos fueron ginecológica y obstetricia, cirugía general y plástica; encontrar acciones que el acusado era el sector privado en un 51%, el sector público 44% e individual 5% de los casos analizados; las frases fueron rechazadas por el 57%, llegando en el 22% parcialmente procedentes en un 19% y se disolvieron en 2% de los casos analizados. Conclusión: La influencia jurídica en el ejercicio de la medicina viene a dar forma a las actitudes y las prácticas de salud en los servicios motivados por las repercusiones legales y también las consecuencias económicas para la gestión como un reflejo de una sociedad en que las afirmaciones de los derechos y de la idea de haber sido objeto de una lesión compensable se entiende como la responsabilidad de un buen profesional y un buen servicio de salud. El médico no debe ser considerado el único responsable de causar el daño y es necesario que todas las partes están involucradas en los cambios que merecen ser hecho y que en sugeridos por la Organización Mundial de la Salud.

Reconocimiento y prevención del error en los cuidados de salud / Awareness and avoidance of error in health care

Los errores de ocurrencia progresivamente creciente en los cuidados de salud, de acuerdo a datos universales, ofrecen un panorama epidemiológico alarmante en la medida que se percibe mayor complejidad de las patologías a atender, sus diagnósticos y tratamientos requieren permanente actualización de conocimientos y habilidades clínicas y tecnológicas, y las demandas de satisfacción y cobertura de costos sufren igualmente exigencias previamente impensadas. En la literatura abunda información sobre las causas y mecanismos de estos incidentes, permite caracterizarlos, medir sus alcances y consecuencias, sistematizar sus efectos y definir conductas para su prevención y manejo. En el presente estudio nos hemos dedicado a mirar los errores surgidos en el área, por incomprensión de su significado y del propio diagnóstico de errores en el cuidado de la salud, y de las probabilidades y formas de resolver los dilemas en asignar responsabilidad a los diferentes participantes del equipo de salud involucrados en esa particular contingencia. También analizamos algunos de los aspectos judiciales derivados y explicitados al clarificar las implicancias legales de estas acciones y la interpretación del clima ético surgido de la percepción de daño que sigue a la trasgresión del contrato virtual médico-paciente. Finalmente se comenta la necesidad de recuperar los valores del compromiso incluido en el cuidado al paciente y la dignidad de las acciones de salud comprendidas en el marco del profesionalismo promovido por el ACP y otras instancias internacionales comprometidas con las responsabilidades asumidas por los profesionales sanitarios.

Errors in Health Care are shown to occur at increasing rates in proportion to the new knowledge, the technological and communication display used in controlling disease and human health impairment. Medical publications and reports, as those coming from allied professions devoid to health care, give plenty information of causes, mechanisms, tendencies, most privileged effects and consequences, classification, characteristics and impact of these issues on the progress of diseases involved and the way it affects the patient - professional relations. These aspects have been the main interest of numerous authors in the pertinent scientific literature. Instead of that focus, we committed our search to look over the errors raised in the field because missed understandings on the significance and the proper diagnosis of errors in health care, and the probability and ways to solve the dilemmas imposed by assigning responsibilities to each participant or the working team involved in the alluded contingency. We also address some of the judicial aspects derived and defined to clarify the legal implications of these actions and the interpretation of the ethic climate raised by the feeling of harm that follows transgression in the professional - patient virtual contract. Finally we comment on the need to restore the high values of the professional endeavour to the patients’ requirements and the dignity of the health actions included under the frame of professionalism promoted by the ACP and other international medical societies of internal medicine and bestowed to the personal responsibility of the sanitary agent.