Medical Negligence in the Healthcare Industry

Medical negligence refers to the failure of medical care providers to provide their professional obligations towards their patients. Examples include failing to monitor a patient and improper use of medical devices adequately. In many cases, medical negligence can result in the following:

1. Patient Outcomes

   Unfavourable clinical outcomes and patient death are inevitable in patient care. If these happen because of negligence in care from the practitioner, the patient party may feel immense grief. Such scenarios often lead to patients going the legal way against the practitioner and the healthcare body.

2. Legal Repercussions

   Legal repercussions are one of the grave consequences of medical negligence after financial claims. As per Section 338 of the Indian Penal Code, medical negligence from a professional is a serious crime. A doctor can suffer a fine or even imprisonment if the law finds them guilty of medical negligence. Health professional do their best to treat their patients well. However, errors and omissions in treatment are sometimes inescapable.

How can These Risks Affect a Healthcare Provider’s Financial Performance and Reputation

For a healthcare provider's firm, clinical malpractice is a nightmare as it can wash away a firm's hard-earned reputation and respect in the blink of an eye. In the Healthcare industry, reputation holds more value than anything else. Doctors deal with numerous cases, saving countless lives throughout the day. Despite that, a tiny omission in medical documentation or an error in surgery can leave a doctor prone to lawsuits, even criminal charges.

How can Medical Indemnity Insurance Protect Healthcare Providers?

Patients can easily file litigations against medical professionals, but these can have severe repercussions on the latter. Medical indemnity insurance is instrumental in protecting the professional’s reputation and financial status. It prevents the professional from facing undue stress by covering claims arising because of some unwanted issues.

In addition, litigations can go on for a long time, and having medical indemnity insurance protection can let you focus on your job instead of worrying about the financial burden that will come along the legal proceedings. Here's a hypothetical scenario that explains how indemnity coverage can help a healthcare provider:

Uncertainty Looming Large on ABC Hospitals

ABC Hospital is a healthcare centre in the bustling metropolis of Mumbai, India's financial capital. Established over two decades ago, ABC Hospital has been an integral part of Mumbai's healthcare ecosystem since its inception.

On a fateful day, Dr. Mehta, a renowned cardiologist, performed an open-heart surgery on Mr. Patel, a patient who has severe coronary artery disease. Despite ample preparation and years of surgical experience, a complication arose during the procedure, resulting in some complications to Mr. Patel's health. Mr Patel's son was furious, and questions arose about the hospital's standards of care.

Facing the looming threat of litigation and potential financial repercussions, ABC Hospital turned to its indemnity insurance for support.

Legal help: First, indemnity insurance covers the legal expenses associated with defending against the potential malpractice lawsuit. The indemnity clause ensured ABC Hospital had itself covered amidst complex legal proceedings.

Damage coverage: Unfortunately, the hospital was found liable for the surgical complication. However, the indemnity insurance covered the damages the patient's family claimed. The financial protection offered by the insurance shielded ABC Hospital from bearing the full brunt of the financial burden, allowing the hospital to continue providing quality patient care.

The incident served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of patient care. Still, it also underscored the importance of being prepared and having measures in place to navigate such challenges.

Conclusion

Indemnity insurance plays a key role in ensuring financial protection for healthcare professionals, institutions, and patients alike. The insurance provides peace of mind, allowing healthcare practitioners to focus on delivering quality care without fearing legal costs or damages. By prioritising preventative measures and risk-mitigating protocols, indemnity insurance allows healthcare firms to deal with potential liabilities effectively, ensuring long-term success. So, without any further ado, protect yourself and your business by choosing the right options from leading insurers across India at PolicyBazaar for Business.