2013 Pharmacist Liability: A Ten-year Analysis

This three-part report covers professional liability claims, license protection claims and selected samples from the HPSO 2012 Qualitative Pharmacist Work Profile Survey.

Highlights of the report include:

• Professional Liability Claims: More than $14 million was paid in indemnity and expenses for professional liability claims on behalf of pharmacists during the 10-year study period. Analysis revealed that professional liability claims were most likely to involve allegations that the pharmacist dispensed the wrong drug or wrong dose. Overdose was the most common patient injury for pharmacist closed claims.



• License Protection Claims: Seventy percent of paid license protection defense claims resulted in monitoring, education or the issuing of a caution to the pharmacist, while three percent of the licensing boards' decisions ended the pharmacists' career.



• Pharmacist Work Profile Survey: Ninety percent of survey respondents who experienced a professional liability claim had been in practice for at least 11 years, which substantiates the idea that the likelihood of experiencing a claim increases with the number of years in practice.

HPSO 2012 Qualitative Pharmacist Work Profile Survey

This report includes the complete results from the HPSO 2012 Qualitative Pharmacist Work Profile Survey. The survey compares pharmacists who reported having a professional liability claim with those who have not on a variety of subjects such as: age, gender, education, years experience, bar-coding usage, assistance in the pharmacy and the use of robotics/automation.

Risk Control Self-Assessment Checklist for Pharmacists

The checklist is designed to assist pharmacists (and other pharmacy professionals where appropriate) in evaluating and modifying their current customs and practices in order to enhance their risk awareness and safety practices.

The checklist is included in 2013 Pharmacist Liability: 2013 Pharmacist Liability: A Ten-year Analysis and is provided here as a separate document for those wishing to print it out for their use.

Physical Therapy Liability 2001 - 2010 (Full Report)

Physical Therapy Liability 2001 - 2010 (Summary)

This three-part report covers professional liability claims, licensing protection claims and selections from the HPSO 2011 Qualitative Physical Therapist Work Profile Survey.

Highlights of the report include:

• Professional Liability Claims: Over $44 million was paid in indemnity (judgments and settlements) and expenses on behalf of physical therapists during the study period, realizing an average total incurred of $103,111 per claim.



• Licensing Protection Claims: The three most common allegations against physical therapists who experienced a paid license defense claim were improper management over the course of treatment (37.6%), inappropriate behavior (26.5%) and fraudulent billing (14.7%).



• Physical Therapist Work Profile Survey: The number of claims significantly increased, the longer respondents worked as physical therapists. The highest percentage involved respondents who had worked more than 21 years as a PT.

HPSO 2011 Qualitative Physical Therapist & Physical Therapist Assistant Work Profile Survey

This report includes the complete results from the HPSO 2011 Qualitative Physical Therapist & Physical Therapist Assistant Work Profile Survey. The survey compares physical therapists & physical therapist assistants who reported having a professional liability claim, with those who have not, on a variety of factors. For example, age, gender, level of education, years in practice and the effect of continuing education.

Risk Control Self-Assessment Checklist for Physical Therapists

This checklist was developed to aid physical therapists in managing their risks and reducing their exposure to malpractice lawsuits. Included is 'Your Role and Responsibilities in Managing a Professional Liability Claim' to assist you in taking the proper steps if you believe you may be involved in a legal matter.

The checklist is included in Physical Therapy Liability 2001 - 2010 and is provided here as a separate document for those wishing to print it out for their own use.