Malpractice Risk and Acute Ischemic Stroke

Claims and payouts are much more common for failures to treat or transfer than for complications after thrombolytic therapy.

Clinicians and researchers continually strive to improve the safety, efficacy, and efficiency of the diagnosis and treatment of acute ischemic stroke to maximize outcomes for patients. Of course, like many aspects of medicine, the management of stroke involves the consideration of medicolegal risk superimposed on clinical decision making.

To quantify the risks of malpractice litigation related to the diagnosis and treatment of acute ischemic stroke, researchers systematically reviewed claims information from three U.S. legal databases. Among 272 cases identified from 1987 to 2017, 44% resulted in monetary payout through settlement or verdict. Emergency physicians were named in one third of cases. Failure to treat with tissue plasminogen acti…

Reviewing Author

Jason T. McMullan, MD, MS, FAEMS

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardEMCREG International

Grant/Research SupportNIH; Department of Defense

Editorial BoardsJournal of Emergency Medical Services

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNational Association of EMS Physicians (Chair, Research Committee)