Experts from the State Medical Association identified 41 medical malpractice cases last year. That was two fewer than in 2022, as the chamber announced on Friday. "Every medical error also means a personal fate," said President Erik Bodendieck. Measured against around 27 million outpatient and inpatient treatment cases in Saxony and in view of the extreme workload, their number was "low overall".
According to the 2023 annual report, the expert body for medical liability issues received a total of 306 applications due to suspected medical malpractice, nine more than in 2022. An assessment was initiated in 196 cases. A quarter involved surgical treatments, 43 concerned internal medicine, 22 orthopaedics and 13 treatments each in the fields of ENT and gynaecology.
According to the chamber, the recognition rate was 24% and therefore "within the usual range". 90 to 95 percent of the assessment cases were conclusively clarified, with five to ten percent proceeding through the courts. According to Bodendieck, the willingness of the medical profession to contribute to clarification is very high.
The aim of the expert opinion office is to help avoid lengthy legal disputes and settle them out of court. With the help of such an expert opinion, patients can receive compensation from the insurance companies of the clinics or doctors concerned - but medical professionals can also turn to the office.
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