Circulation 36,825 • Volume 18, No. 2 • Summer 2003

Malpractice Problem Presents

David Hunt, MD

To the Editor

The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation has consistently supported the recommendation that anesthesiologists report any untoward event. In an illustration of the “Law of Unintended Consequences,” my group has been placed at risk by this practice. Our malpractice insurer, The Doctor’s Insurance Reciprocal, has gone into receivership and ceased paying any expenses or awards. We have obtained another insurance policy (losing 6 months premium), but the policy excludes all ongoing suits and all events which have been reported as presenting potential liability. So any one of us who has reported an event in the past 2 years is liable for any defense cost or award. Such is our reward for following all the rules.

David Hunt, MD
Roanoke, VA