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Lessons from rhinology and facial plastic surgery clinical negligence claims in England 2013–2018

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 December 2021

A V Navaratnam Open the ORCID record for A V Navaratnam [Opens in a new window] ,
A L Pendolino ,
A Kaura ,
J Nijim ,
J T Machin ,
T W R Briggs ,
A Marshall ,
P S Randhawa  and
P J Andrews
A V Navaratnam*
Affiliation:
Getting it Right First Time programme, NHS England and NHS Improvement, London, UK Royal National ENT Hospital, University College London NHS Trust, UK
A L Pendolino
Affiliation:
UCL Ear Institute, London, UK
A Kaura
Affiliation:
UCL Ear Institute, London, UK
J Nijim
Affiliation:
UCL Medical School, London, UK
J T Machin
Affiliation:
Getting it Right First Time programme, NHS England and NHS Improvement, London, UK
T W R Briggs
Affiliation:
Getting it Right First Time programme, NHS England and NHS Improvement, London, UK
A Marshall
Affiliation:
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, UK
P S Randhawa
Affiliation:
Royal National ENT Hospital, University College London NHS Trust, UK
P J Andrews
Affiliation:
Royal National ENT Hospital, University College London NHS Trust, UK
*
Author for correspondence: Dr A V Navaratnam, Royal National ENT Hospital, 47-49 Huntley Street, LondonWC1 EGE, UK E-mail: annakan.navaratnam@nhs.net
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Abstract

Objective

This study reviewed all rhinology clinical negligence claims in the National Health Service in England between 2013 and 2018.

Method

All clinical negligence claims held by National Health Service Resolution relating to rhinology in England between 1 April 2013 and 1 April 2018 were reviewed.

Results

There were 171 rhinology related claims with a total estimated potential cost of £13.6 million. There were 119 closed claims (70 per cent) with a total cost of £2.3 million, of which 55 claims resulted in payment of damages. Over three quarters of all rhinology claims were associated with surgery (n = 132). Claims associated with endoscopic sinus surgery had the highest mean cost per claim (£172 978). Unnecessary pain (33.9 per cent) and unnecessary operation (28.1 per cent) were the most commonly cited patient injuries.

Conclusion

Patient education and consent have been highlighted as key areas for improvement from this review of rhinology related clinical negligence claims. A shift in clinical practice towards shared decision making could reduce litigation in rhinology.

Keywords

Patient SafetyConsentFacial PlasticsMalpracticeRhinology
Type
Main Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 136 , Issue 12 , December 2022 , pp. 1177 - 1182
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED

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Footnotes

Dr A V Navaratnam takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

Presented as an oral presentation at the European Rhinologic Society, 26 to 30 September 2021, Thessaloniki, Greece.

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