[Malpractice in neurology in the case material of the Forensic Medicine Department, Medical University of Białystok]

Arch Med Sadowej Kryminol. 2009 Jul-Sep;59(3):203-7.
[Article in Polish]

Abstract

The paper presents an analysis of legal opinions compiled by the Forensic Medicine Department, Medical University of Białystok in the years 2003-2008. The above-mentioned opinions addressed medical treatment in the area of neurology. During this period, opinions were given in 142 cases, the majority of them representing idiopathic diseases (such as strokes, cerebral aneurysms, cerebral infections), followed by falls from high altitudes and traffic road accidents, further followed by fights, medical treatment and work accidents. In sixteen (11.27%) of such cases, the employed medical procedures were found to be incorrect; what might be qualified as medical decisive errors, committed in emergency ambulances or in admission rooms. Incorrect medical treatment consisted in negligence to perform necessary diagnostic examinations. In ten of the analyzed cases, the patients ultimately died.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Academic Medical Centers / statistics & numerical data
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Brain Diseases / diagnosis
  • Brain Diseases / therapy
  • Clinical Competence / statistics & numerical data
  • Craniocerebral Trauma / diagnosis
  • Craniocerebral Trauma / therapy
  • Delayed Diagnosis
  • Diagnostic Errors / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Forensic Medicine / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Malpractice / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Malpractice / statistics & numerical data*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurology / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Neurology / statistics & numerical data*
  • Occupational Diseases / diagnosis
  • Occupational Diseases / therapy
  • Poland
  • Young Adult