The effect of malpractice claims on the use of caesarean section

Best Practice and Research: Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Volumn 27, Issue 2, 2013, Pages 269-283

  Schifrin, Barry S ^a   Cohen, Wayne R ^b  

^a Providence Tarzana Medical Center   (United States)

^b UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA   (United States)

Author keywords

cesarean section; defensive medicine; ethics; litigation; malpractice; TOLAC; VBAC

Indexed keywords

ARTICLE; CESAREAN SECTION; ETHICS; HEALTH CARE POLICY; HOSPITAL; HUMAN; INFORMED CONSENT; LAW SUIT; MALPRACTICE; MEDICAL PRACTICE; NEGLIGENCE; PATIENT CARE; PRIORITY JOURNAL; TREATMENT INDICATION; VAGINAL DELIVERY;

CESAREAN SECTION; DEFENSIVE MEDICINE; EUROPE; FEMALE; HUMANS; INFORMED CONSENT; LIABILITY, LEGAL; MALPRACTICE; OBSTETRICS; PREGNANCY; UNITED STATES; VAGINAL BIRTH AFTER CESAREAN;

EID: 84875365952     PISSN: 15216934     EISSN: 15321932     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2012.10.004     Document Type: Article

References (104)

1. A. Symon Litigation and defensive clinical practice: quantifying the problem Midwifery 16 2000 8 14
2. A. Abuhamad, and W.A. Grobman Patient safety and medical liability: current status and an agenda for the future Obstet Gynecol 116 2010 570 577
3. Anonymous Appropriate technology for birth Lancet 2 1985 436 437
4. L.R. Tancredi, and J.A. Barondess The problem of defensive medicine Science 200 1978 879 882
5. A.E. Carroll, and J.L. Buddenbaum Malpractice claims involving pediatricians: epidemiology and etiology Pediatrics 120 2007 10 17
6. E.K. Main, C.H. Morton, and K. Melsop Creating a public agenda for maternity safety and quality in cesarean delivery Obstet Gynecol 2012 [Epub ahead of print]
7. W.A. Grobman Obstetric patient safety: an overview Am J Perinatol 29 2012 3 6
8. D.W. Bates, M. Cohen, and L.L. Leape Reducing the frequency of errors in medicine using information technology J Am Med Inform Assoc 8 2001 299 308
9. S. Berglund, and M. Norman Neonatal resuscitation assessment: documentation and early paging must be improved! Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 97 2012 204 208
10. L.L. Leape, and D.M. Berwick Five years after to err is human: what have we learned? JAMA 293 2005 2384 2390
11. A.C. O'Neil, L.A. Petersen, E.F. Cook, D.W. Bates, T.H. Lee, and T.A. Brennan Physician reporting compared with medical-record review to identify adverse medical events Ann Intern Med 119 5 1993 370 376
12. K.D. Gregory, S. Jackson, L. Korst, and M. Fridman Cesarean versus vaginal delivery: whose risks? Whose benefits? Am J Perinatol 29 1 2012 7 18
13. B.C. Richards, and G. Thomasson Closed liability claims analysis and the medical record Obstet Gynecol 80 1992 313 316
14. B.C. Richards, and G.O. Thomasson Medical records figure prominently in malpractice cases. A closed liability claims analysis Colo Med 89 1992 398 401
15. C. Rommal Documentation issues in electronic fetal monitoring J Healthc Risk Manag 17 1997 27 34
16. E.J. Thomas, S.R. Lipsitz, and D.M. Studdert The reliability of medical record review for estimating adverse event rates Ann Intern Med 136 2002 812 816
17. L.L. Leape Institute of Medicine medical error figures are not exaggerated JAMA 284 2000 July 5 95 97
18. A. MacLennan, K.B. Nelson, and G. Hankins Who will deliver our grandchildren? Implications of cerebral palsy litigation JAMA 294 2005 1688 1690
19. T.A. Brennan, and L.L. Leape Adverse events, negligence in hospitalized patients: results from the Harvard Medical Practice Study Perspect Healthc Risk Manage 11 1991 2 8
20. T.A. Brennan, L.E. Hebert, and N.M. Laird Hospital characteristics associated with adverse events and substandard care JAMA 265 1991 3265 3269
21. L.L. Leape, T.A. Brennan, and N. Laird The nature of adverse events in hospitalized patients. Results of the Harvard Medical Practice Study II N Engl J Med 324 1991 377 384
22. T.A. Brennan, L.L. Leape, and N.M. Laird Incidence of adverse events and negligence in hospitalized patients: results of the Harvard Medical Practice Study I Qual Saf Health Care 2004 13 1991 145 151 discussion 51-52
23. S.L. Clark, M.A. Belfort, and G.A. Dildy Reducing obstetric litigation through alterations in practice patterns Obstet Gynecol 112 2008 1279 1283
24. L.F. Sauceda Gonzalez, G. Tinoco Jaramillo, and J.J. Morales Ramirez Lawsuits against gynecologists-obstetricians in the National Commission of Medical Arbitration [in Spanish] Ginecol Obstet Mex 69 2001 487 491
25. S. Berglund Every case of asphyxia can be used as a learning example. Conclusions from an analysis of substandard obstetrical care J Perinat Med 40 2011 9 18
26. S. Berglund, C. Grunewald, H. Pettersson, and S. Cnattingius Severe asphyxia due to delivery-related malpractice in Sweden 1990-2005 BJOG 115 3 2008 316 323
27. S. Berglund, C. Grunewald, and H. Pettersson Severe asphyxia due to delivery-related malpractice in Sweden 1990-2005 BJOG 115 2008 316 323
28. S. Berglund, M. Norman, and C. Grunewald Neonatal resuscitation after severe asphyxia: a critical evaluation of 177 Swedish cases Acta Paediatr 97 2008 714 719
29. D.M. Studdert, M.M. Mello, and A.A. Gawande Claims, errors, and compensation payments in medical malpractice litigation N Engl J Med 354 2006 2024 2033
30. J. Holmboe, K. Molne, and H. Jenssen Incidents connected to pregnancy and labor Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen 121 2001 3185 3187
31. A.A. White, J.W. Pichert, and S.H. Bledsoe Cause and effect analysis of closed claims in obstetrics and gynecology Obstet Gynecol 105 2005 1031 1038
32. A.J. Forster, I. Fung, and S. Caughey Adverse events detected by clinical surveillance on an obstetric service Obstet Gynecol 108 2006 1073 1083
33. S.E. Geller, D. Rosenberg, and S. Cox A scoring system identified near-miss maternal morbidity during pregnancy J Clin Epidemiol 57 2004 716 720
34. C.J. Berg, M.A. Harper, and S.M. Atkinson Preventability of pregnancy-related deaths: results of a state-wide review Obstet Gynecol 106 2005 1228 1234
35. R.L. Helmreich Culture and error in space: implications from analog environments Aviat Space Environ Med 71 9 Suppl. 2000 A133 A1339
36. R.L. Helmreich, and D.M. Musson Surgery as team endeavour Can J Anaesth 47 2000 391 392
37. G.E. Knox, K.R. Simpson, and T.J. Garite High reliability perinatal units: an approach to the prevention of patient injury and medical malpractice claims J Healthc Risk Manag 19 1999 24 32
38. D.M. Gaba, S.J. Singer, and A.D. Sinaiko Differences in safety climate between hospital personnel and naval aviators Hum Factor 45 2003 173 185
39. G. Penney, and R. Foy Do clinical guidelines enhance safe practice in obstetrics and gynaecology? Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 21 2007 657 673
40. T. Draycott, T. Sibanda, and L. Owen Does training in obstetric emergencies improve neonatal outcome? BJOG 113 2006 177 182
41. S.A. Gilbert, W.A. Grobman, and M.B. Landon Elective repeat cesarean delivery compared with spontaneous trial of labor after a prior cesarean delivery: a propensity score analysis Am J Obstet Gynecol 206 311 2012 e1 9
42. M.M. Costantine, K.A. Fox, and L.D. Pacheco Does information available at delivery improve the accuracy of predicting vaginal birth after cesarean? Validation of the published models in an independent patient cohort Am J Perinatol 28 2011 293 298
43. R.A. Caplan, K. Posner, and R.J. Ward Peer reviewer agreement for major anesthetic mishaps QRB Qual Rev Bull 14 1988 363 368
44. R.A. Caplan, K.L. Posner, and R.J. Ward Adverse respiratory events in anesthesia: a closed claims analysis Anesthesiology 72 1990 828 833
45. N.M. Cass Medicolegal claims against anaesthetists: a 20 year study Anaesth Intensive Care 32 2004 47 58
46. F.W. Cheney The American Society of Anesthesiologists closed claims project: the beginning Anesthesiology 113 2010 957 960
47. S.L. Clark, M.A. Belfort, and G.A. Dildy Maternal death in the 21st century: causes, prevention, and relationship to cesarean delivery Am J Obstet Gynecol 199 2008 36.e1 36.e5 discussion 91-2 e7-11
48. R.R. Jolivet, M.P. Corry, and C. Sakala Transforming maternity care: a high-value proposition: summary of Childbirth Connection 90th Anniversary Symposium proceedings Womens Health Issue 20 1 Suppl. 2010 S50 S66
49. E. Blair More on asphyxia, cerebral palsy and litigation Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 40 2000 93 96
50. F. Cowan, M. Rutherford, and F. Groenendaal Origin and timing of brain lesions in term infants with neonatal encephalopathy Lancet 361 2003 736 742
51. D.M. Murray, M.N. O'Riordan, and R. Horgan Fetal heart rate patterns in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy: relationship with early cerebral activity and neurodevelopmental outcome Am J Perinatol 26 2009 605 612
52. S.P. Miller, B. Latal, and H. Clark Clinical signs predict 30-month neurodevelopmental outcome after neonatal encephalopathy Am J Obstet Gynecol 190 2004 93 99
53. T. Sartwelle Defending a neurologic birth injury-asphyxia neonatorum redux J Leg Med 30 2009 181 247
54. R.L. Berkowitz Of parachutes and patient care: a call to action Am J Obstet Gynecol 205 2011 7 9
55. A. Symon Litigation and changes in professional behaviour: a qualitative appraisal Midwifery 16 2000 15 21
56. W.R. Cohen, and B.S. Schifrin Medical negligence lawsuits relating to labor and delivery Clin Perinatol 34 2007 345 360
57. B.S. Schifrin, and W.R. Cohen Medical legal issues in fetal monitoring [review] Clin Perinatol 34 2007 329 343 vii
58. A.P. MacKay, C.J. Berg, and C. Duran An assessment of pregnancy-related mortality in the United States Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 19 2005 206 214
59. P. Zwecker, L. Azoulay, and H.A. Abenhaim Effect of fear of litigation on obstetric care: a nationwide analysis on obstetric practice Am J Perinatol 28 2011 277 284
60. K. Ryan, P. Schnatz, and J. Greene Change in cesarean section rate as a reflection of the present malpractice crisis Conn Med 69 2005 139 141
61. D. Grant, and M.M. McInnes Malpractice experience and the incidence of cesarean delivery: a physician-level longitudinal analysis Inquiry 41 2004 170 188
62. Y.T. Yang, M.M. Mello, and S.V. Subramanian Relationship between malpractice litigation pressure and rates of cesarean section and vaginal birth after cesarean section Med Care 47 2009 234 242
63. G.D. Hankins, S.M. Clark, and M.B. Munn Cesarean section on request at 39 weeks: impact on shoulder dystocia, fetal trauma, neonatal encephalopathy, and intrauterine fetal demise Semin Perinatol 30 2006 276 287
64. L. Iffy, and P. Pantages Erb's palsy after delivery by Cesarean section. (A medico-legal key to a vexing problem.) Med Law 24 2005 655 661
65. S.L. Clark, V.L. Vines, and M.A. Belfort Fetal injury associated with routine vacuum use during cesarean delivery Am J Obstet Gynecol 198 2008 e4
66. R. Fareeduddin, and B.S. Schifrin Subgaleal hemorrhage after the use of a vacuum extractor during elective cesarean delivery: a case report J Reprod Med 53 2008 809 810
67. H. Blanchette The rising cesarean delivery rate in America: what are the consequences? Obstet Gynecol 118 2011 687 690
68. National Institutes of H National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference Statement vaginal birth after cesarean: new insights March 8-10, 2010 Semin Perinatol 34 2010 351 365
69. S.I. Bangdiwala, S.S. Brown, and F.G. Cunningham NIH consensus development conference draft statement on vaginal birth after cesarean: new insights NIH Consens State Sci Statements 27 3 2010 March 10 [Epub ahead of print]
70. ACOG Practice bulletin no. 115 Vaginal birth after previous cesarean delivery Obstet Gynecol 116 2 Pt 1 2010 450 463
71. K.D. Gregory, M. Fridman, and L. Korst Trends and patterns of vaginal birth after cesarean availability in the United States Semin Perinatol 34 2010 237 243
72. L.M. Leeman, and V.J. King Increasing patient access to VBAC: new NIH and ACOG recommendations Am Fam Physician 83 2011 121-2, 7
73. SOGC clinical practice guidelines Guidelines for vaginal birth after previous caesarean birth. Number 155 (Replaces guideline Number 147), February 2005 Int J Gynaecol Obstet 89 2005 319 331
74. S. Soltanifar, and R. Russell The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines for caesarean section, 2011 update: implications for the anaesthetist Int J Obstet Anesth 21 2012 264 272
75. I. Torjesen Any pregnant woman who wants a caesarean section should not be denied it, says NICE BMJ 343 2011 d7632
76. M. Gholitabar, R. Ullman, and D. James Caesarean section: summary of updated NICE guidance BMJ 343 2011 d7108
77. M.F. Greene Vaginal delivery after cesarean section: is the risk acceptable? N Engl J Med 345 2001 54 55
78. J.R. Scott Mandatory trial of labor after cesarean delivery: an alternative viewpoint Obstet Gynecol 77 1991 811 814
79. M.J. McMahon Vaginal birth after cesarean Clin Obstet Gynecol 41 1998 369 381
80. V.L. Rose ACOG urges a cautious approach to vaginal birth after cesarean delivery Am Fam Physician 60 1999 1245 1246
81. M. Lydon-Rochelle, V.L. Holt, and T.R. Easterling Risk of uterine rupture during labor among women with a prior cesarean delivery N Engl J Med 345 2001 3 8
82. I.R. Shihady, P. Broussard, and L.B. Bolton Vaginal birth after cesarean: do California hospital policies follow national guidelines? J Reprod Med 52 2007 349 358
83. V.H. Coleman, K. Erickson, and J. Schulkin Vaginal birth after cesarean delivery: practice patterns of obstetrician-gynecologists J Reprod Med 50 2005 261 266
84. C.E. Wells Vaginal birth after cesarean delivery: views from the private practitioner Semin Perinatol 34 2010 345 350
85. J. Block Pushed: the painful truth about childbirth and modern maternity care 2007 DaCapo Press Cambridge Massachusetts
86. S. Charles The ethics of vaginal birth after cesarean Hastings Cent Rep 42 2012 24 27
87. G.C. Smith, J.P. Pell, A.D. Cameron, and R. Dobbie Risk of perinatal death associated with labor after previous cesarean delivery in uncomplicated term pregnancies JAMA 287 2002 2684 2690
88. M.B. Landon, J.C. Hauth, and K.J. Leveno Maternal and perinatal outcomes associated with a trial of labor after prior cesarean delivery N Engl J Med 351 2004 2581 2589
89. M.F. Greene Vaginal birth after cesarean revisited N Engl J Med 351 2004 2647 2649
90. L.L. Leape, and J.A. Fromson Problem doctors: is there a system-level solution? Ann Intern Med 144 2 2006 107 115
91. A.F. d'Oliveira, S.G. Diniz, and L.B. Schraiber Violence against women in health-care institutions: an emerging problem Lancet 359 9318 2002 1681 1685
92. K.R. Simpson Disruptive clinician behavior MCN Am J Matern Child Nurs 32 1 2007 64
93. F.A. Chervenak, and L.B. McCullough Ethics and growing legal crisis in medicine Croat Med J 46 5 2005 724 727
94. L.L. Veltman Disruptive behavior in obstetrics: a hidden threat to patient safety Am J Obstet Gynecol 196 6 2007 587 e1-4; discussion e4-5.
95. M. Foureur, C.L. Ryan, and M. Nicholl Inconsistent evidence: analysis of six national guidelines for vaginal birth after cesarean section Birth 37 2010 3 10
96. F.A. Chervenak, and L.B. McCullough The professional responsibility model of respect for autonomy in decision making about cesarean delivery Am J Bioeth 12 2012 1 2
97. F.A. Chervenak, L.B. McCullough, and R.L. Brent The professional responsibility model of obstetrical ethics: avoiding the perils of clashing rights Am J Obstet Gynecol 205 2011 315.e1 315.e5
98. F.A. Chervenak, and L.B. McCullough An ethical framework for the informed consent process for trial of labor after cesarean delivery Clin Perinatol 38 2011 227 231
99. M.G. Rosen, J.C. Dickinson, and C.L. Westhoff Vaginal birth after cesarean: a meta-analysis of morbidity and mortality Obstet Gynecol 77 1991 465 470
100. E.A. Rybak Hippocratic ideal, Faustian bargain and Damocles' sword: erosion of patient autonomy in obstetrics J Perinatol 29 2009 721 725
101. R.L. Berkowitz, and D. Montalto Tort reform: why is it so frequently unobtainable? Obstet Gynecol 116 2010 810 814
102. L. Weinstein A multifacited approach to improve patient safety, prevent medical errors and resolve the professional liability crisis Am J Obstet Gynecol 194 2006 1160 1165 discussion 5-7
103. M.J. Mehlman Malpractice reforms: are they fair? Clin Perinatol 32 2005 235 249 ix
104. D.M. Studdert, Y.T. Yang, and M.M. Mello Are damages caps regressive? A study of malpractice jury verdicts in California Health Aff (Millwood) 23 2004 54 67