BAUS 2015

Urological litigation trends and successful claims in the National Health Service (NHS): An analysis of 20 years of claims in Urology from United Kingdom
BAUS ePoster online library. Lane J. 06/22/21; 319018; p11-1 Disclosure(s): I have no declarations to make.
Jenni Lane
Jenni Lane
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Abstract
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Introduction

Surgical specialities accrue some of the highest litigation claims and costs due to their invasive nature. Although urology continues to have some of the fewest claims, their associated costs are still rising. We present the urology litigation trends and successful claims in the National Health Service (NHS) over the last 20 years.

Methods

Data was acquired from NHS resolutions. This included the number of claims dating from 1996-2019, the total sum of damages paid out each year for urology 1997-2017 and the causes for our claims dating from 2009- 2019.

Results

In total, urology received 2585 claims in 20 years. Over this time, yearly claims have increased almost 7-fold. The total cost of these claims was £74.4 million (range: £0.2m-£7.8m/annum). Our research highlights where the majority of these claims reside, and we have analysed the micro-trends within the data.

Conclusion

Whilst human factors and unpreventable damage can be tolerated, there is still the need for continual improvement to patient care, surgical training, counselling, informed consent and early management of complications. The evidence suggests that the best approach to improve these areas combines rigid adherence to and re-enforcement of common surgical guidelines, supported by low-level initiatives to combat local trends.
Introduction

Surgical specialities accrue some of the highest litigation claims and costs due to their invasive nature. Although urology continues to have some of the fewest claims, their associated costs are still rising. We present the urology litigation trends and successful claims in the National Health Service (NHS) over the last 20 years.

Methods

Data was acquired from NHS resolutions. This included the number of claims dating from 1996-2019, the total sum of damages paid out each year for urology 1997-2017 and the causes for our claims dating from 2009- 2019.

Results

In total, urology received 2585 claims in 20 years. Over this time, yearly claims have increased almost 7-fold. The total cost of these claims was £74.4 million (range: £0.2m-£7.8m/annum). Our research highlights where the majority of these claims reside, and we have analysed the micro-trends within the data.

Conclusion

Whilst human factors and unpreventable damage can be tolerated, there is still the need for continual improvement to patient care, surgical training, counselling, informed consent and early management of complications. The evidence suggests that the best approach to improve these areas combines rigid adherence to and re-enforcement of common surgical guidelines, supported by low-level initiatives to combat local trends.
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