Anesthesiologist’s Insurance Rates Have Declined Due to Increased Safety Measures

A recent study released by the American Society of Anesthesiologists showed that insurance premiums have decreased by 37 percent over the last 20 year. This decrease is primarily due to the groups’ active efforts to make their practice safer for patients. Wrongful death cases have decreased in frequency due to the increased safety measures that anesthesiologist have in place. Insurance rates vary by state and some cities, like Salt Lake City, experience lower rates due to lower population size.

The Institute of Medicine compiled statistics that showed that the number of wrongful death cases has declined from one death every 5,000 cases to one death per 200,000 to 300,000 cases over the last 20 years. This is largely due to the ASA focus on improving patient safety instead of trying to change patient lawsuit laws to protect anesthesiologists. It’s easier to focus on the safety of the patient then trying to get a lawyer to protect you in a malpractice suit.

The American Society of Anesthesiologists began a fund 20 years ago and launched the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation to better advocate for increased safety measures during surgeries. The foundation advocated for new devices with alert systems to notify physicians of potentially fatal problems. The new devices are in hospitals across the country, including Salt Lake City, and have lead to a decrease in wrongful death cases involving a lawyer.

The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation, also, developed “computerized mannequins that simulate real-life surgical crises,” to help educate student doctors on what to do in an emergency. The mannequin would respond to allergic reactions to medications and other situations. It also helps doctors practice tracheotomies, an emergency procedure that opens a blocked airway.

The foundation conducts studies in many cities, like Salt Lake City, and examines why an accident occurred. As a result of their studies there are less malpractice suits for anesthesiologists because of their increased understanding about medical accidents related to their field. The increase in knowledge has helped many doctors avoid medical malpractice cases involving a lawyer and have safer practices in surgery.

Medical schools, like the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, are copying the ASA and are increasing their research into patient safety measures. When doctors are more focused on preventing a wrongful death case than avoiding a malpractice lawyer, everyone benefits. The practice of medicine has become much safer over the last 20 years and it will continue as more research is done.

Lura Briggs is a legal writer for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Robert J Debry. Follow on Twitter.