In the discussion of health care in various countries, I have
seen lots on this list in re insurance practices.  I haven't
seen anything on how places other than the U.S. deal with
medical malpractice.

My info from the Harvard Malpractice Study. New Eng. J. Med
Vol 324 p370, Vol 325 p 245 (1991).  Medical malpractice is the
leading cause of accidental death in the U.S.  The New York
data extrapolated to the entire country leads to the following
numbers.

33,233,000 hospital admissions (1988)
332,230 suffered negligence
45,200 deaths from negligence

Less than 5% of those who suffer an injury for malpractice
actually bring a suit, and unfortunately, many of those who do
sue have not suffered malpractice.

In the U.S. the medical profession is a closed club with little
technical oversight.  How are things elsewhere?
--
Martha Koester                      Help stamp out

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