‘Sorry’ works in malpractice, but honesty and prevention are better

For years it’s been argued apologizing for medical errors would reduce the number of malpractice lawsuits. A comment published in a law journal argues an apology is less important than honesty and a dedicated quality improvement program in reducing malpractice payouts. Tort reform does nothing to decrease medical malpractice claims because it does nothing to address the basic reason patients sue, according to Richard C. Boothman, chief risk officer for the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor (J Health & Life Sci Law 2009;2:125-159). “Despite the public fascination with the apology component, the real story isn’t that apology reduces lawsuits,” Boothman said. “The real story is that honesty—true honesty—is the first, and absolutely necessary, step toward real quality improvement.”

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This article was republished with permission from CMPMedica, LLC