VA Health Care: Trends in Malpractice Claims Can Aid in Addressing Quality of Care Problems

Abstract

In fiscal year 1994, the federal government paid about $54 million in settlements and judgments to cover about 400 malpractice claims against the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Research indicates that the number of malpractice claims filed against, or resulting in payment on behalf of, a facility or practitioner does not necessarily indicate that substandard care was provided to a patient. However, analysis of settled malpractice claims can be a useful risk management technique to (1) determine if the quality of care being provided by either a facility or practitioner needs review, (2) identify problem-prone clinical processes, and (3) establish a corrective action plan.1

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 21, 1995
Accession Number
AD1180454

Entities

People

  • David P. Baine
  • James A. Carlan
  • Patricia A. Jones

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accounting
  • Active Duty
  • Air Force
  • Attorneys
  • Department Of Defense
  • Department Of Veterans Affairs
  • Employment
  • Governments
  • Health
  • Health Care
  • Health Services
  • Medical Malpractice
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Hospitals
  • National Governments
  • Physicians
  • Risk Management
  • United States

Readers

  • Criminal Law
  • Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Care for Military Service Members and Veterans with Limb Loss or Disability.
  • Systems Analysis and Design