Informes periciales por presunta responsabilidad médica en Bogotá

Abstract

Background. Information on medical liability lawsuits is critical for the formulation and implementation of policies, programs and actions pertaining to patient safety. There is no systematic information at present in the Colombian health sector regarding adverse outcomes resulting in professional liability lawsuits. Objective. To characterize the cases of alleged professional liability analyzed in the Bogota Chapter of the Clínical Forensics Group of the National Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences Institute of Colombia between 2006-2010. Methods. A descriptive, uni and bivariate analysis of the forensic expert reports available was conducted. Results. Information was gathered for 402 cases. 77 % occurred in Bogota, 69.2 % were associated with women, the mean age was 36.4 years, and the private healthcare providers accounted for 52 % of the total. 80 % of the lawsuits were filed against the State and directly against the practitioners, and 59 % were criminal cases. The percentage of medical specialties involved most frequently was distributed as follows: 41 % in obstetrics and gynecology, 45 % in other surgical areas, 6 % in Clínical areas and 5 % in pediatrics. The most frequent diagnoses were: fetal death of unexplained cause, accidental puncture or laceration during a procedure. 45 % of forensic reports were prepared by Clínical or surgical specialists. The conclusion in 225 reports was that the case was the result of a complication, whereas in 165 the conclusion referred to a deviation from standard practice.