Patient Complaints in Orthopedic Surgery: An Analysis Utilizing a Large National Database

Shumaila Sarfani; Andrew Rees; Justin Vickery; John E Kuhn; Mitchell B Galloway; Henry Domenico; James W Pichert; William O Cooper

doi:10.1016/j.ocl.2022.05.004

Patient Complaints in Orthopedic Surgery: An Analysis Utilizing a Large National Database

Orthop Clin North Am. 2022 Oct;53(4):491-497. doi: 10.1016/j.ocl.2022.05.004. Epub 2022 Sep 14.

Authors

Shumaila Sarfani¹, Andrew Rees², Justin Vickery², John E Kuhn², Mitchell B Galloway³, Henry Domenico³, James W Pichert³, William O Cooper⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1215 21st Avenue South, Medical Center East South Tower, Suite 4200, Nashville, TN 37232, USA. Electronic address: s.sarfani@ortho-sa.com.
² Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1215 21st Avenue South, Medical Center East South Tower, Suite 4200, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
³ Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Center for Patient and Professional Advocacy, 1215 21st Avenue South, Medical Center East South Tower, Suite 4200, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
⁴ Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Center for Patient and Professional Advocacy, 1215 21st Avenue South, Medical Center East South Tower, Suite 4200, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1215 21st Avenue South, Medical Center East South Tower, Suite 4200, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.

PMID: 36208891
DOI: 10.1016/j.ocl.2022.05.004

Abstract

Introduction: Unsolicited patient complaints (UPCs) about surgeons correlate with surgical complications and malpractice claims. Analysis of UPCs in orthopedics is limited.

Methods: Patient complaint reports recorded at 36 medical centers between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2018 were coded using a previously validated coding algorithm Patient Advocacy Reporting System.

Results: A total of 33,174 physicians had 4 consecutive years of data across the 36 participating medical centers and met other inclusion criteria.

Conclusions: Orthopedists with high numbers of UPCs may benefit from being made aware of their elevated risk status in ways that invite reflection on underlying causes.

Keywords: Malpractice; Orthopedic surgeons; Patient advocacy reporting system; Unsolicited patient complaints.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Humans
Orthopedic Procedures* / adverse effects
Orthopedics*
Patient Satisfaction
Physician-Patient Relations
Retrospective Studies