Christine Bremer Muggli joined in on the conversation discussing the death of Muammar Qaddafi, another round of Republican debates, and more news from Wisconsin’s legislature.  To listen to the program:

Wisconsin Public Radio, Joy Cardine, October 21, 2011

Christine Bremer Muggli joined in on the conversation discussing whether it is appropriate to exclude Republicans from the Labor Day Parade.  To listen to the program:

Wisconsin Public Raido:  Joy Cardine, August 31, 2011

The New England Journal of Medicine released a study on the rates and payments of medical malpractice claims submitted by patients to doctors’ insurance companies.  The study found that most claims are dropped without payment.  This study has reiterated two points we already know: insurance companies deny far more medical malpractice claims than they pay out and doctors’ perceptions of medical malpractice claims are not in line with actual risk.

The study found that the majority of the largest groups of doctors – internal medicine, family medicine and pathology – will never make a malpractice payment in their lifetime. In fact, for all low risk specialties, 81 percent of physicians never paid a malpractice claim.  Additionally, 95 percent of low risk specialty and 67 percent of high risk specialty physicians would not make a payment during the first half of their medical career.  Despite the low risk of having a patient file a malpractice claim, most physicians perceive their risk to be much greater than it actually is. 

There are also two important points to make about what this study does not do.  The researchers only analyzed data from closed claims from one major insurance company.  This study did not look at the rate or frequency of medical malpractice lawsuits.  This is an important distinction because there is a big difference between a claim and a lawsuit.  A claim is filed by a patient with an insurance company, while a lawsuit is filed in a court.  The researchers’ use of “lawsuit” and “claim” interchangeably creates confusion, but the two are completely different.  Many patients file a claim with an insurance company without filing a lawsuit.  In fact, patients who are injured in the course of medical care often have to file a claim just to see what went wrong.  These claims do not always lead to lawsuits.

More importantly, this study also does not evaluate the merit of the claims that are dropped.  Studies that have actually looked at the merits of closed claims have found that most negligence claims involve medical error and serious injury.  In 2006, researchers at Harvard University found most negligence claims were meritorious, with 97 percent of claims involving medical injury and 80 percent involving physical injuries resulting in major disability or death.  In fact, researchers found that non-payment of claims where error was involved was a serious problem. 

Each year, 98,000 Americans die because of preventable medical errors.  Hundreds of thousands more are injured.  This new study further demonstrates the plain and simple fact that not enough of these injuries are being compensated.  As AAJ President Gary M. Paul stated:

“Hundreds of thousands of Americans are injured by medical negligence every year and as previous research has shown, the majority of malpractice claims are meritorious.  What this new study tells us is that the supposed wave of malpractice payments is actually a myth that has been built up by the scare tactics of insurance companies and tort reform groups.  In reality, not enough is being done to protect patients and ensure justice. 

“A strong civil justice system offers injured patients the ability to hold negligent providers accountable and increases patient safety to help prevent negligence before it occurs. Instead of allowing insurance companies and tort reform groups to perpetuate these myths, we should focus on patient safety as a proven way of reducing claims and saving lives.”

The American Association for Justice (AAJ) released an extensive primer to dispel the myths of “tort reform” and underscore the importance of preventing medical errors and improving patient safety.  The primer can be viewed here. 

The full post is below can be read here: http://ow.ly/66UkF

Christine Bremer joined in on the conversation discussing the week’s recall results and troublesome economic news.  To listen to the program:

Wisconsin Public Radio:  The Week in Review with Joy Cardin, August 12, 2011

Christine Bremer Muggli joined in on the conversation discussing concealed carry legislation in Wisconsin and more of the top state and national news stories.  To listen to the program:

Wisconsin Public Radio:  The Week in Review with Joy Cardin, June 24, 2011

This week, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) joins the National Safety Council in recognizing National Window Safety Week and urges parents and caregivers to be aware of the dangers of leaving windows open when young children are present.

According to CPSC data, falls from windows result in an average of about eight deaths yearly to children five years or younger, while an estimated 3,300 children ages five and younger are treated each year in U.S. hospital emergency departments. On average, one of every three children, about 34 percent, required hospitalization after falling from a window.

These deaths and injuries frequently occur when kids push themselves against window screens or climb onto furniture located next to an open window. These incidents increase dramatically during the spring and summer months.

To help prevent injuries and tragedies, CPSC recommends the following safety tips:

• Safeguard your children by using window guards or window stops.
  • Install window guards to prevent children from falling out of windows.
  • For windows on the 6th floor and below, install window guards that adults and older children can open easily in case of fire.
  • Install window stops so that windows open no more than 4 inches.
• Never depend on screens to keep children from falling out of windows.
• Whenever possible, open windows from the top – instead of the bottom.
• Keep furniture away from windows to discourage children from climbing near windows.
• Some jurisdictions require landlords to install guards. Check your local regulations.

To learn more, visit the CPSC site here.

To listen to the program:

Wisconsin Public Radio:  Route 51 with Glen Moberg, “Wisconsin’s Ongoing Budget Woes”, March 10, 2011

Christine Bremer Muggli joined in on the conversation discussing all things “budget”.  To listen to the program:

Wisconsin Public Radio:  The Week in Review with Joy Cardin, March 4, 2011