Perioperative medicine & outcomes
Anesthesia-Related Closed Claims in Free-Standing Ambulatory Surgery Centers
Authors' conclusion
This analysis of medical malpractice claims may indicate higher-than-expected patient and procedural complexity in free-standing ASCs, presenting patient safety concerns and opportunities for improvement.
Study context
- Population
- Anesthesia-related liability closed claims, The Doctors Company, 2015–2022, with an anesthesia provider responsible
- Participants
- 480 closed claims
- Exposure
- Free-standing ASC vs HOR anesthesia-related closed claims
- Free-standing ASCn = 212
- HORn = 268reference
- Outcome
- High severity of injury
Methodological detailsretrospective, closed claims database
- Retrospective
- Closed claims database
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
P = 0.004
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Dental injury
Nerve damage
Burns · no other difference in types of injuries
P = 0.015
Alleged improper management of anesthesia
P = 0.01
Positioning-related injury
P = 0.025
Alleged improper performance of anesthesia procedures · no difference
P = 0.072
Technical performance of procedures (intubation, nerve block) as contributing factor
Communication issues between provider and patient/family
P = 0.004
Cardiovascular disease comorbidity · most claims without major comorbidities
P = 0.002
Mean $
| Outcome | Free-standing ASC | HOR | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total expenses and payments | 167,000 (SD $295,000) | 332,000 (SD $775,000) | P = 0.002 |
Original publication
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