Error in Medicine: Legal Impediments to U.S. Reform

26 Pages Posted: 28 Dec 1998

See all articles by Bryan A. Liang

Bryan A. Liang

University of California San Diego School of Medicine

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Abstract

Error in medicine is common and can lead to significant patient injury. Although successful systematic efforts to reduce human error have been applied in other complex systems, the field of medicine has just begun to make a broad-based effort in this regard. However, both research in and implementation of patient safety measures may not occur without a consideration of important legal issues that may impede these health policy efforts. Tort and contract law may interact with the vagaries of managed care to limit participation in these error reduction efforts by health care providers as well as by managed care organizations. Thus, for patient safety research to be successful, all members of the health care enterprise must participate in a coordinated effort to identify and establish effective practices that may reduce human error in medicine. But it is imperative that legal impediments be recognized and addressed before the goal of a continuously improving, increasingly safe health care system can become a reality.

Suggested Citation

Liang, Bryan A., Error in Medicine: Legal Impediments to U.S. Reform. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=141861 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.141861

Bryan A. Liang (Contact Author)

University of California San Diego School of Medicine ( email )

San Diego Center for Patient Safety
350 Cedar Street
San Diego, CA 92101
United States
619-515-1568 (Phone)
619-515-1599 (Fax)

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