Neonatal malpractice claims in Italy: how big is the problem and which are the causes?

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2012 May;25(5):493-7. doi: 10.3109/14767058.2011.622004.

Abstract

Medical errors are topics of increasing importance in neonatology. Very few data are available on neonatal malpractice claims. We report the first data obtained in Italy on neonatology regarding a wide population study during a 6-year survey. Data concerning 191 claims regarding delivery room (n = 77; 38.74%), nursery (n = 72; 37,69%), NICU (n = 42; 21,98%) and the transport system (n = 3; 1.57%) are presented and discussed. On data allow an analysis of main causes and suggest how to face the problem.

MeSH terms

  • Databases, Factual
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Insurance, Liability
  • Italy
  • Malpractice / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Malpractice / statistics & numerical data
  • Medical Errors / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Medical Errors / statistics & numerical data
  • Neonatology / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Neonatology / statistics & numerical data
  • Retrospective Studies