Analysis of judicial precedent cases regarding epidural injection in chronic pain management in Republic of Korea

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 337-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soo Ick Cho ◽  
SuHwan Shin ◽  
Haesun Jung ◽  
Jee Youn Moon ◽  
Ho-Jin Lee
Keyword(s):  
Medical Malpractice ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
Epidural Injection ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Chronic Pain Management ◽  
Common Complication ◽  
Epidural Injections ◽  
The Supreme Court ◽  
Low Incidence

BackgroundAlthough there is a low incidence of complications associated with epidural injections, pain physicians should still remain vigilant for potentially serious adverse outcomes. This study aimed to identify and describe the major complications of epidural injections.MethodsThis retrospective, observational, medicolegal study analyzed closed cases of precedents involving complications of epidural injections from January 1997 to August 2019 using the database of the Supreme Court of Korea’s judgement system. Clinical characteristics and judgement statuses were analyzed.ResultsOf the 73 potential cases assessed for eligibility, a total of 49 malpractice cases were included in the final analysis. Thirty-three claims resulted in payments to the plaintiffs, with a median payment of US$103 828 (IQR: US$45 291–US$265 341). The most common complication was infection (n=13, 26.5%), followed by worsening pain (n=8, 16.3%). Physician malpractice before, during, and after the procedure was claimed by plaintiffs in 18 (36.7%), 44 (89.8%), and 31 (63.3%) cases, respectively. Of these cases, 6 (33.3%), 19 (43.2%), and 15 (48.4%), respectively, were adjudicated in favor of the plaintiffs by the courts. In cases involving postprocedural physician errors, the majority (13/15) of the plaintiff verdicts were related to delayed management. Violation of the physician’s duty of informed consent was claimed by plaintiffs in 31 (63.3%) cases, and 14 (45.2%) of these cases were judged medical malpractice.ConclusionsOur data will allow pain physicians to become acquainted with the major epidural injection-associated complications that underlie malpractice cases.

scholarly journals Characteristics of the medical malpractice cases against orthopedists in China between 2016 and 2017

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. e0248052
Author(s):  
Hongzhi Lv ◽  
Dongzheng Li ◽  
Chao Li ◽  
Peizhi Yuwen ◽  
Zhiyong Hou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Errors ◽  
Medical Malpractice ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Patient Demographics ◽  
Malpractice Claims ◽  
Poor Treatment ◽  
Medical Malpractice Claims ◽  
Improve Patient

Background This study aimed to identify the most frequent reasons for orthopedic medical malpractice, gain insight into the related patient demographics and clinical characteristics, and identify the independent factors associated with it. Methods We collected and analyzed the demographic and injury characteristics, hospital levels and treatments, medical errors, and orthopedist’s degree of responsibility for the patients who were subject to orthopedic medical malpractice at our institution. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the factors associated with the orthopedist’s degree of responsibility in the medical malpractice cases. Results We included 1922 cases of medical malpractice in the final analysis. There were 1195 and 727 men and women, respectively (62.2% and 37.8%, respectively). Of the total patients, 1810, 1038, 1558, 1441, and 414 patients (94.2%, 54.0%, 81.1%, 75.0%, and 21.5%, respectively) were inpatients, had closed injuries, underwent surgery, were trauma cases, and had preoperative comorbidities, respectively. Most medical malpractice cases were in patients with fractures and spinal degenerative disease (1229 and 253 cases; 63.9% and 13.2%, respectively), and occurred in city-level hospitals (1006 cases, 52.3%), which were located in the eastern part of china (1001, 52.1%), including Jiangsu and Zhejiang (279 and 233 cases, 14.52% and 52.1%, respectively). Between 2016 and 2017, the orthopedist’s degree of responsibility in medical malpractice claims were deemed as full, primary, equal, secondary, and minor in 135, 654, 77, 716, and 340 orthopedists (7.0%, 34.0%, 4.0%, 37.3%, and 17.7%). Most medical errors made by orthopedists in cases of medical malpractice were related to failure to supervise or monitor cases, improper performance of procedures, and failure to instruct or communicate with the patient (736, 716, and 423 cases; 38.3%, 37.3%, and 22.0%, respectively). The multivariate analysis found that patients with preoperative comorbidities, who sustained humerus injuries, who were aged ≥65 years, who were treated by doctors who failed to supervise or monitor them, and who were treated at the provincial and city level hospitals were more likely to claim that the orthopedist bore a serious degree of responsibility in the medical malpractice case. Conclusions Our results provide detailed information on the plaintiff demographics, clinical characteristics, and factors associated with medical malpractice. Medical malpractice is related to poor treatment outcomes. The first preventative measure that is required is a comprehensive improvement in the medical staff quality, mainly through medical ethics cultivation, and professional ability and technique training. Additionally, failure to supervise or monitor cases was the leading cause of medical malpractice and one of the factors that led to orthopedists bearing an equal and higher responsibility for medical malpractice. Orthopedists should improve patient supervision, especially when treating older patients and those with preoperative comorbidities and humerus injuries.

India

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shreya Atrey
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
Case Law ◽  
Social Model ◽  
Disability Rights ◽  
Appellate Courts ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
High Courts ◽  
The Supreme Court ◽  
Domestic Law

This chapter provides an expository account of Indian appellate courts’ engagement with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the developing case law on disability rights. As a dualist State, India has ratified but not incorporated the CRPD into its domestic law. This has not deterred frequent references to the CRPD in litigation at the highest level. The appellate courts—High Courts and the Supreme Court—have resorted to the CRPD in diverse ways. The analysis of the small but not insignificant body of case law shows that these instances can be classified into two broad themes of ‘citation’ and ‘interpretation’. In the final analysis, the overall impact of references to the CRPD can be considered largely positive but still modest in the absence of new legislation embracing the human rights framework and social model of the CRPD in India.

scholarly journals Medical Malpractice Trends in Foot and Ankle Surgery

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 2473011420S0004
Author(s):  
Rishin J. Kadakia ◽  
Keith Orland ◽  
Akhil Sharma ◽  
Jie Chen ◽  
Craig C. Akoh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Malpractice ◽  
Orthopaedic Surgery ◽  
Nonoperative Treatment ◽  
Anatomical Location ◽  
Foot And Ankle ◽  
Common Complication ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Forefoot Surgery ◽  
Ankle Surgery ◽  
Malpractice Claims

Category: Other Introduction/Purpose: Medical malpractice lawsuits can place significant economic and psychologic burden on a provider. Orthopaedic surgery is one of the most common subspecialties involved in malpractice claims. There is currently no study examining malpractice lawsuits within foot and ankle surgery. Accordingly, the purpose of this work is to examine trends in malpractice claims in foot and ankle surgery. Methods: The Westlaw legal database was queried for lawsuits pertaining to foot and ankle surgery from 2008 to 2018. Only cases involving medical malpractice were included for analysis. All available details pertaining to the cases were collected. This included plaintiff demographic and geographic data. Details regarding the cases were also collected such as anatomical location, pathology, complications, and case outcomes. Results: Forty nine malpractice lawsuits pertaining to foot and ankle were identified. Most plaintiffs in these cases were adult females, and the majority of cases occurred in the northeast (53.1%). The most common anatomical region involved in claims involved the forefoot (29%). The majority of these claims involved surgery (65%). Infection was the most common complication seen in claims (22%). The jury ruled in favor of the defendant surgeon in most cases (73%). Conclusion: This is the first study to examine trends in medical malpractice within foot and ankle surgery. Infection was the most frequent complication seen in claims and forefoot surgery was the most common anatomic location. A large portion of claims resulted after nonoperative treatment. A better understanding of the trends within malpractice claims is crucial to developing strategies for prevention.

scholarly journals 1428. Lyme Disease Treatment in the United States: Prescribing Patterns from a Nationwide Commercial Insurance Database, 2016-2018

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S720-S720
Author(s):  
Amy M Beeson ◽  
Grace E Marx ◽  
Amy M Schwartz ◽  
Alison F Hinckley
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Lyme Disease ◽  
Standard Treatment ◽  
Age Distribution ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
The United States ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Prescribing Patterns ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing ◽  
Low Incidence

Abstract Background Lyme disease (LD) is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States and is a significant public health problem. The use of non-standard antibiotic treatment regimens for LD has been associated with adverse effects; however, the overall landscape of treatment has not been described previously. We aimed to describe real-world antibiotic prescribing patterns for LD. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of the MarketScan commercial claims database of outpatient encounters from 2016-2018 in the United States. We identified all individuals with a visit that included an LD diagnosis code and a prescription within 30 days of the visit for one or more of 12 antibiotics that may be prescribed for LD. We then categorized each individual as having received either standard or non-standard treatment during the two-year period. Standard treatment was defined as treatment with a first, second or third-line antibiotic for LD, for no longer than 30 days, and for no more than two episodes during the study period. Descriptive and multivariable analyses were performed to compare characteristics of people who received standard vs non-standard treatment for LD. Results A total of 84,769 prescriptions met criteria for inclusion, written for 45,926 unique patients. The mean duration of prescriptions was 21.4 days (SD 10.8). Most individuals (84.5%) treated for LD received standard treatment during the study period. Female gender (OR 1.5, p< 0.0001) and age 19-45 (p=0.0003) were significantly associated with being prescribed non-standard LD treatment. Treatment in low-incidence states (OR 2.2 compared to high-incidence states, p< 0.0001) and during non-summer months (OR 2.2, p< 0.0001) was more likely to be non-standard. Age distribution of patients receiving treatment for Lyme disease, by gender and age at first prescription Seasonality of standard versus non-standard treatment of Lyme disease Conclusion In this population of employed, young, and insured patients, young and middle-aged women were at the highest risk of receiving non-standard LD treatment. Treatments prescribed in states with low incidence of LD or during non-summer months were also more likely to be non-standard, a trend which likely reflects misdiagnosis or overtreatment of LD. Future studies are needed to further define prescriber and patient factors associated with non-standard LD treatment and related adverse outcomes. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Deep Spinal Infection after Outpatient Epidural Injections for Pain: A Retrospective Sample Cohort Study Using a Claims Database in South Korea

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chang-Soon Lee ◽  
Young Jae Park ◽  
Jee Youn Moon ◽  
Yong-Chul Kim
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Epidural Injection ◽  
Spinal Infection ◽  
Single Shot ◽  
Epidural Injections ◽  
Spinal Infections

Background Deep spinal infection is a devastating complication after epidural injection. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of deep spinal infection primarily after outpatient single-shot epidural injection for pain. Secondarily, this study assessed the national trends of the procedure and risk factors for said infection. Methods Using South Korea’s National Health Insurance Service sample cohort database, the 10-yr national trend of single-shot epidural injections for pain and the incidence rate of deep spinal infection after the procedure with its risk factors were determined. New-onset deep spinal infections were defined as those occurring within 90 days of the most recent outpatient single-shot epidural injection for pain, needing hospitalization for at least 1 night, and receiving at least a 4-week course of antibiotics. Results The number of outpatient single-shot epidural injections per 1,000 persons in pain practice doubled from 40.8 in 2006 to 84.4 in 2015 in South Korea. Among the 501,509 injections performed between 2007 and 2015, 52 cases of deep spinal infections were detected within 90 days postprocedurally (0.01% per injection). In multivariable analysis, age of 65 yr or more (odds ratio, 2.91; 95% CI, 1.62 to 5.5; P = 0.001), living in a rural area (odds ratio, 2.85; 95% CI, 1.57 to 5.0; P < 0.001), complicated diabetes (odds ratio, 3.18; 95% CI, 1.30 to 6.7; P = 0.005), multiple epidural injections (three times or more) within the previous 90 days (odds ratio, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.22 to 4.2; P = 0.007), and recent use of immunosuppressants (odds ratio, 2.90; 95% CI, 1.00 to 6.7; P = 0.025) were significant risk factors of the infection postprocedurally. Conclusions The incidence of deep spinal infection after outpatient single-shot epidural injections for pain is very rare within 90 days of the procedure (0.01%). The data identify high-risk patients and procedure characteristics that may inform healthcare provider decision-making. Editor’s Perspective What We Already Know about This Topic What This Article Tells Us That Is New

scholarly journals Proposed Ionizing Radiation Doses of 3711 Fluoroscopy-Guided Epidural Injections

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rekib Sacaklidir ◽  
Ekim Can Ozturk ◽  
Savas Sencan ◽  
Osman Hakan Gunduz
Keyword(s):  
Ionizing Radiation ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Epidural Injection ◽  
Critical Issue ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Epidural Injections ◽  
Epidural Steroid Injections ◽  
Dose Levels ◽  
Interlaminar Epidural Injection ◽  
Caudal Epidural

Background: Since fluoroscopy-guided interventional therapies grew significantly in recent years, exposure to ionizing radiation (IR) either for patient or medical staff became a critical issue. IR exposure varies according to the physicians’ experience, patients’ body mass index (BMI), imaging techniques and type of the procedure performed. The purpose of this study is to calculate the reference IR doses for fluoroscopy-guided epidural injections per procedure and BMI to provide reference doses for potential use in future dose reduction strategies. Methods: A retrospectively, evaluation of patients who received epidural steroid injections between January 2015 and December 2020 in a university hospital interventional pain management center, was performed. This observational study was conducted with patients aged  18 who underwent 3711 epidural injections including cervical interlaminar, lumbar interlaminar, lumbar transforaminal and caudal approaches. Provided IR doses for each patient were also divided by patients’ BMI to obtain dose per BMI. Results: The highest IR dose per procedure was found in caudal epidural injection with 0.218 mGy m2 and lowest dose was in cervical interlaminar epidural injection with 0.057 mGy m2. The IR dose per procedure was 0.123 mGy m2 for lumbar transforaminal and 0.191 mGy m2 for lumbar interlaminar epidural injection. Caudal epidural injection had also the highest IR dose per BMI which was 0.00749 and cervical interlaminar epidural injection had the lowest radiation dose per BMI which was 0.00214. Conclusions: We proposed reference IR dose levels of four approaches of epidural injections obtained from 3711 injections performed in a university hospital pain medicine clinic. BMI of patients were taken into account with the dose levels of injections given per BMI. Multicenter research with standardized techniques will assure more reliable reference levels which will guide pain physicians to self-assess their own levels of radiation exposure.

The Supreme Court and Medical Malpractice Law

2018 ◽  
pp. 241-258
Author(s):  
CHARLES L. BECKER ◽  
SHANIN SPECTER ◽  
THOMAS R. KLINE
Keyword(s):  
Supreme Court ◽  
Medical Malpractice ◽  
Malpractice Law ◽  
The Supreme Court

Chapter 16: The Supreme Court and Medical Malpractice Law

2018 ◽  
pp. 241-258
Author(s):  
Charles L. Becker ◽  
Shanin Specter ◽  
Thomas R. Kline
Keyword(s):  
Supreme Court ◽  
Medical Malpractice ◽  
Malpractice Law ◽  
The Supreme Court

Epidural Glucocorticoid Injections for Spinal Stenosis

2018 ◽  
pp. 200-204
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Stenosis ◽  
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis ◽  
Epidural Injection ◽  
Systemic Absorption ◽  
Lumbar Stenosis ◽  
Epidural Injections ◽  
Hypothalamic Pituitary Axis ◽  
Lumbar Spinal

This case focuses on using an epidural on spinal stenosis by asking the question: What is the effectiveness of epidural injections of glucocorticoids plus anesthetic compared with injections of anesthetic alone in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis? This study demonstrated that epidural injection containing glucocorticoids for the treatment of lumbar stenosis offered minimal or no benefit over epidural injection of lidocaine alone at 6 weeks. Systemic absorption of glucocorticoids and suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis were demonstrated among patients who received epidural injections containing glucocorticoids.

scholarly journals Acute Care of Older Patients with COVID-19: Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes

Geriatrics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 65
Author(s):  
Zara Steinmeyer ◽  
Sara Vienne-Noyes ◽  
Marc Bernard ◽  
Armand Steinmeyer ◽  
Laurent Balardy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Failure ◽  
Acute Respiratory Failure ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
Geriatric Syndromes ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Clinical Presentations ◽  
The Mean

(1) Background: COVID-19 has become a global pandemic and older patients present higher mortality rates. However, studies on the characteristics of this population set are limited. The objective of this study is to describe clinical characteristics and outcomes of older patients hospitalized with COVID-19. (2) Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted from March to May 2020 and took place in three acute geriatric wards in France. Older patients hospitalized for COVID-19 infections were included. We collected clinical, radiological, and laboratory outcomes. (3) Results: Ninety-four patients were hospitalized and included in the final analysis. Mean age was 85.5 years and 55% were female. Sixty-four (68%) patients were confirmed COVID-19 cases and 30 (32%) were probable. A majority of patients were dependent (77%), 45% were malnourished, and the mean number of comorbidities was high in accordance with the CIRS-G score (12.3 ± 25.6). The leading causes of hospitalization were fever (30%), dyspnea (28%), and geriatric syndromes (falls, delirium, malaise) (18%). Upon follow-up, 32% presented acute respiratory failure and 30% a geriatric complication. Frailty and geriatric characteristics were not correlated with mortality. Acute respiratory failure (p = 0.03) and lymphopenia (p = 0.02) were significantly associated with mortality. (4) Conclusions: Among older patients hospitalized with COVID-19, clinical presentations were frequently atypical and complications occurred frequently. Frailty and geriatric characteristics were not correlated with mortality.

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