Sunday, March 8, 2009

Harvard Study Finds Reduced Malpractice Rate Tied To Use of Electronic Medical Records

A Harvard Study has determined that lower malpractice rates for healthcare providers are tied to the use of electronic medical records (EMRs). Leading medical record retrieval service provider, MedSave USA, concurs with this assessment and indicates that overall, a greater accuracy is reported with the use of EMRs.

The study, which was conducted by Harvard researchers, found that 6.1% of physicians with electronic records had malpractice settlements, compared to 10.8% without electronic records.

This is according to a press release issued by MedSave USA, a leading national provider of medical record retrieval services to the insurance industry, legal firms, and third party administrators (TPAs).

Friday, March 6, 2009

State Round-up Medical Malpractice Laws

Over at TortsProf Blog, published today, a quick summary of legislation and reform laws related to medical malpractice law.
  • Hawaii's House Judiciary Committee approved a bill on Tuesday that could lead to caps on noneconomic damages in med mal claims against doctors in five specialties. See article: Honolulu Advertiser
  • Utah Senate gives initial passage to a bill raising the burden of proof in emergency room med mal cases to "clear and convincing" evidence. See article: Salt Lake Tribune.
  • Oklahoma House passes a tort reform bill that would, among other things, cap noneconomic damages at $300,000. See article: NewsOK.
  • In Albany, New York, physician rally for decreased med mal insurance premiums and the ability to collectively bargain with insurers. See article: Times Union.