Honest Approach Working for Some Hospitals in Handling Medical Accidents

April 14th, 2011    Posted in Brain Surgery Accidents, Celebrity Medical Negligence, Defective Medical Equipment, medical errors, Medical Malpractice

We know with great experience that dealing with a doctor or a hospital following a questionable procedure or perceived medical accident can be difficult, if not altogether impossible.  We’re sure you’ve probably heard all the horror stories and perhaps you’ve been in this situation yourself.  Everyone is smiling and nodding until you begin to question what went wrong and all of a sudden those doors close, you’re getting denials and and you’re faced with dealing with their lawyers.

At the University of Michigan Health System and the University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago denial is no longer an option and doctors instead are going with a near full disclosure approach, opting instead to go with a “full transparency” tactic in which doctors open the doors of communication with patients with an explanation of where and why the problem may have occurred, offering a quick remedy of the mistake and immediate plans to improve the area where the mistake was made– and it seems to be working.

Since going with the “disclose and offer”approach in 2001, the U of M has seen a rapid decline every year in the number of incidents that lead to lawsuits, going from well over 200 before the program began to just under 90 for 2007.  The U of I began a similar approach in 2006, calling it the “Seven Pillars”.

A debate is ongoing as to whether this approach will work for other institutions across the country, as these medical centers are largely teaching hospitals who typically employ a self-insured staff.  The big difference is when there is a medical malpractice claim, it goes against the hospital as a whole, not on the doctor.  Several Chicago hospitals are now conducting the U of I’s ‘Seven Pillars’ approach.

The hope is that relieving the burden and fear of backlash will help open up honest lines of communication between patients and doctors.

As Kansas and Missouri Medical Malpractice Attorneys, we know it is difficult to lose someone you love, especially when you feel someone else’s negligence is to blame.  We are glad to hear that doctors and hospitals are beginning to open their eyes to the problems that have built up by first denial situations.  Honesty is always the best policy.  No one likes being kept in the dark.  With any medical malpractice case, it’s never as easy as going around and point fingers and naming names.  Medical malpractice cases need to be handled professionally and aggressively.

If you or someone you love has suffered a serious injury as the result of an unauthorized procedure or a medical malpractice accident in Kansas or Missouri, you should know your rights as a victim.  Call experienced Kansas City Personal Injury Lawyers James Roswold and Heather Lottman.  With over 15 years of experience in Medical Malpractice cases including Child Injury Accidents, we may be able to help you and your family get through this difficult and often stressful time.

Contact Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys today to set up a free consultation to discuss your personal injury claim.  You can get started today by downloading our free book, “10 Essential Steps to Protecting Your Injury Claim” and know your rights.