Claims insights: anaesthetists

Avant anaesthetist members had a matter raised about the provision of their care each year (*five year average). 

Data source: matters indemnified FY2017-FY2021.

Main issue addressed in claims and complaints

Top three issues in the conduct of anaesthesia:

1. Allegations about anaesthetic administration, skill or performance 45%
   (e.g. adverse reaction, damage or injury from anaesthetic administration)
2. Dental damage 18%
3. Claims of awareness during surgery 7%.

Most common procedures involved in claims and complaints related to anaesthesia

• procedures on the disgestive system (e.g. colonoscopy, gastroscopy) 22%
• musculoskeletal procedures 18%
• neurosurgical procedures 9%
• breast surgery 7%
• dermatological and plastic procedures 6%

(% out of total claims/complaints related to conduct of anaesthesia)

Practitioner behaviour issues

26% of practitioner behaviour allegations referred to impairment issues (e.g. mental/psychological, alcohol consumption).

• Issues of communication and attitude towards the patient (e.g. inappropriate comments/disrespectful behaviour) 22%.
• Inappropriate billing practices 13%.

(% out of total claims/complaints related to practitioner behaviour)

Severity of injury associated with claims and complaints

In 76% of claims and complaints, the patient experienced minor physical injury (e.g. dental damage) or no physical injury. In 24% of cases, the patient died or experienced major or catastrophic physical injury.

Assessment of the care provided

Anaesthetists were assessed to meet the standard of care in over half of claims and complaints.

Key points

• The most significant source of claims and complaints for anaesthetists was in the conduct of anaesthesia. The most common allegations were poor anaesthetic administration, skill or performance, dental damage, and awareness during surgery.
• Procedures on the digestive system and the musculoskeletal system were the most common in claims and complaints related to the conduct of anaesthesia.
• Practitioner behaviour allegations most often related to practitioner impairment and communication/attitude towards the patient.
• In one out of 4 of claims and complaints, the patient experienced major or catastrophic physical injury (including death).
• Anaesthetists met the standard of care expected in over half of claims and complaints.

Glossary

1. Matters include claims, complaints, coronial cases and other matters such as employment disputes and Medicare.
2. Claims refers to claims for money, compensation and civil claims.
3. Complaints relates to formal complaints to regulators.
4. Employment disputes are matters where Avant defends members against complaints or supports members to resolve employment issues.
5. Medicare matters include Medicare investigations and audits.

For medico-legal advice, please contact us here, or call 1800 128 268, 24/7 in emergencies.

For any queries on this analysis, please contact us at research@avant.org.au

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