Learning from malpractice claims about negligent, adverse events in primary care in the United States

Claims data identify conditions and processes where primary health care in the United States is prone to go awry and revealed a significantly disproportionate risk for a number of conditions.

Abstract

Claims data identify conditions and processes where primary health care in the United States is prone to go awry. The burden of severe outcomes and death from malpractice claims made against primary care physicians was greater in primary care outpatient settings than in hospitals. Although these data enhance information about error related negligent events in primary care, particularly when combined with other primary care data, there are many operating limitations.