government
Lawsuit fear identified as top challenge to cutting ED costs
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted June 13, 2011
Nearly 45% of emergency physicians say "fear of lawsuits" is their biggest challenge to cutting costs in the emergency department, according to a recent poll conducted by the American College of Emergency Physicians.
The poll, released online May 23, also concluded that 53% of emergency physicians listed lawsuit fear as the primary reason they conducted high numbers of medical tests. In addition, many specialists cited fear of being sued as one of the top reasons they will not treat emergency patients.
ACEP conducted the email poll between March 3 and March 11. About 1,800 physicians responded to the survey, according to a release accompanying the poll.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/06/13/gvbf0613.htm.
