Oregon Nurses Lead Nation in Medical Malpractice Complaints
A new nationwide study has uncovered troubling trends in healthcare malpractice, placing Oregon as the ninth riskiest state for patients. However, it was in the nursing field that Oregon recorded the biggest failure.
Registered nurses in Oregon scored 78.15 across all practitioner types, with 932.68 Adverse Action Reports per 1,000 practitioners, the highest of any state.
The study was based on two key metrics – Adverse Action Reports (AARs) and Medical Malpractice Payments (MMPs), amounts in million USD.
AARs refer to complaints lodged by patients against healthcare practitioners, entities, providers, or suppliers.
MMPs refer to monetary settlements, or judgments of written complaints or claims, based on a healthcare practitioner’s failure to provide satisfactory service.
Oregon recorded 614.56 AARs, and $34.44 million per 1,000 practitioners in MMPs.
Researchers from Florida personal injury firm FHV Legal tied Oregon alongside Michigan as America’s ninth riskiest state for medical malpractice with a score of 61.2.
Oregon Physicians Recorded the Highest Medical Malpractice Payouts
Oregon Physicians (MD) did not fare much better, recording the highest medical malpractice payouts in the state at $158.36 million per 1,000 practitioners.
FHV Legal points out that the World Health Organization says more than three million deaths occur annually due to unsafe care, and that about one in every 10 patients is harmed.
Around one in every 10 patients is harmed in health care, and more than 3 million deaths occur annually due to unsafe care, according to the World Health Organization.
Riskiest US States for Medical Malpractice
| Rank | State | Adverse Action Reports Per 1k Practitioners | Medical Malpractice Amount Per 1k Practitioner (in Million USD) | Miscare Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delaware | 694.27 | 41.94 | 78.6 |
| 2 | South Carolina | 618.34 | 52.56 | 73.5 |
| 3 | Maryland | 600.75 | 67.54 | 71.45 |
| 4 | Utah | 654.92 | 39.69 | 70.4 |
| 5 | Louisiana | 696.58 | 31.67 | 69.4 |
| 6 | Georgia | 512.55 | 90.39 | 69.35 |
| 7 | Kentucky | 628.28 | 36.26 | 65.3 |
| 8 | Washington | 641.96 | 32.16 | 62.25 |
| 9 | Michigan | 688.54 | 27.29 | 61.2 |
| 9 | Oregon | 614.56 | 34.44 | 61.2 |
Practitioners Most Associated With Medical Malpractice Claims in Oregon
| Rank | Practitioner | Adverse Action Reports Per 1k Practitioners | Medical Malpractice Amount Per 1k Practitioner (in Million USD) | Miscare Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nurse – Registered Nurse | 932.68 | 11.56 | 78.15 |
| 1 | Nurse – Adv. Practice Nurse | 615.70 | 158.31 | 78.15 |
| 3 | Physician Assistant | 591.30 | 120.96 | 71.9 |
| 3 | Nurse – Practical Nurse | 824.22 | 9.31 | 71.9 |
| 5 | Physician (DO) | 585.47 | 105.34 | 65.65 |
| 6 | Psychologist | 811.54 | 2.08 | 59.4 |
| 7 | Physician (MD) | 354.75 | 158.36 | 53.15 |
| 7 | Optometrist | 558.44 | 22.08 | 53.15 |
| 9 | Therapists and Counselors | 704.65 | 1.48 | 50 |
| 10 | Pharmacist | 755.37 | 0.02 | 43.8 |