Title: Medical errors in Saudi Arabia: understanding the pattern and associated financial cost

Authors: M.H. Alshammari; Dinesh P. Mital

Addresses: College of Public Health, University of Hail, Saudi Arabia ' Department of Health Informatics School of Health Related Professions Rutgers, The State University, 65 Bergen Street, Newark, NJ-07001, USA

Abstract: Studies investigated medical error claims in Saudi Arabia are limited due to organisational complexity to access claims data. The primary objective of this study was to determine the pattern of medical errors claims and associated financial cost in Saudi Arabia from the 2012 medical jurisprudence committee report. Extracted data from the 2012 MJC report were analysed to determine the rate of claims and estimated cost. Medical record claims continued to rise throughout the report period. The highest rate of claims was observed in obstetrics/gynaecology and in private sector. 45.78% of death cases were compensated an amount of 100,000-500,000 SR and 53.65% of disability cases were compensated an amount of 1,000-50,000 SR. The rate of medical error claims is rising in Saudi Arabia. Further studies are needed to investigate causes and establish preventive measures.

Keywords: medical errors; medical error claims; Saudi Arabia; financial cost; medical compensation; medical mistakes; clinical negligence; negligence claims.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMEI.2016.073652

International Journal of Medical Engineering and Informatics, 2016 Vol.8 No.1, pp.41 - 48

Received: 25 Jun 2014
Accepted: 04 Nov 2014
Published online: 15 Dec 2015 *

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