What are the lessons we can glean from a review of recent closed malpractice cases involving oral and maxillofacial infections?

Abstract

OMS National Insurance Company insures over 4700 oral and maxillofacial surgeons, 83% of the fellows and members of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. The company has over 10,000 closed malpractice claims involving oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Data and trends involving infections that developed following elective surgical procedures and trends involving patients with preexisting odontogenic infections with adverse outcomes are well known to the company. Seven percent of the 10,000+ closed claims involve infections. Recognition and diagnosis of the infection leads to appropriate and timely treatment of infections. Delayed recognition, consultation, and referral leads to delay in the institution of appropriate treatment and can lead to adverse outcomes.

• Authors: Steven M Holmes, Debra K Udey
• Journal: Oral and maxillofacial surgery clinics of North America (Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am) Vol. 23 Issue 4 Pg. 601-7, vii (Nov 2011) ISSN: 1558-1365 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21982612 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Cause of Death
• Compartment Syndromes (etiology)
• Elective Surgical Procedures (statistics & numerical data)
• Fasciitis, Necrotizing (etiology)
• Female
• Humans
• Insurance Claim Review (statistics & numerical data)
• Male
• Malpractice (legislation & jurisprudence)
• Mandibular Diseases (etiology)
• Middle Aged
• Oral Surgical Procedures (adverse effects)
• Osteomyelitis (etiology)
• Shock, Septic (etiology)
• Streptococcal Infections (etiology)
• Streptococcus pyogenes (physiology)
• Surgical Wound Infection (etiology)
• Tooth Extraction (adverse effects)
• United States
• Young Adult