Medical Malpractice and Patient Safety at UMHS
Since 2004, the U-M Health System has been in the national spotlight for its innovative approach to medical errors, mishaps and near-misses -- and their potential legal consequences including malpractice suits.
If you have reached this page after hearing or reading about our approach in the news media, welcome! We hope this page will be useful to you.
We have prepared a general description of our approach, which is available here:
Summary: The UMHS approach to medical errors and malpractice claims
We have also compiled links to many resources related to this issue, including testimony and articles, below.
It's important to note that our approach to medical malpractice claims is closely linked with our innovative approach to patient safety. For more on that, see our Quality and Safety Web site.
Reporters interested in learning more about our programs or interviewing Chief Risk Officer Rick Boothman, J.D., and Chief of Medical Affairs Darrell Campbell, M.D., may contact Kara Gavin, UMHS Public Relations, at 734-764-2220.
Online resources:
“Medical Justice: Making the System Work Better for Patients and Doctors” - Testimony of Rick Boothman before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, June 22, 2006
"Making Patient Safety the Centerpiece of Medical Liability Reform" - New England Journal of Medicine Perspective article by Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama (Volume 354 Number 21 :2205-2208 ) May 25, 2006. Audio interview related to NEJM article, featuring Rick Boothman
Transparency: The Benefits of an Open and Honest Dialogue
Powerpoint presentation given by Rick Boothman to the Health Law Division of the State Bar of Michigan, April 26, 2006 (11.1 MB download)
Articles and news items on our approach:
Practice of Hospital Apologies Is Gaining Ground
National Public Radio, All Things Considered
Oct. 6, 2007
Doctors try a new word: Sorry
Fuller disclosure of errors is changing the culture of secrecy in medicine. Chicago Tribune, Sept. 2007 Available online via the Orange County Register
Doctors Learn to Say 'I'm Sorry', Informed Patient Column, Wall Street Journal, Jan. 24, 2007(Available online to subscribers only)
Curing the Malpractice Crisis by RIck Boothman, Guest opinion - Surgery News, page 12, August 2006
The Medical Malpractice Myth, by Ezra Klein - The Slate, July 11, 2006
Column by Rick Boothman and Dr. Steve Kraman, former chief of staff, Lexington, Ky. Veterans Affairs medical center (posted on the SorryWorks! Coalition Web site)
Apologies and a Strong Defense at the University of Michigan Health System
The Physician Executive March/April 2006 edition (see page 2 of the PDF)
Saying ‘I’m Sorry’ Is Starting to Pay Off with Reduced Lawsuits and Legal Costs
Healthcare Risk Management, October 2005
National Public Radio interview with Rick Boothman – December 2004
Copies of other news articles are available upon request from Kara Gavin, UMHS Public Relations, 734-764-2220.
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