News in brief - July 25, 2005

Liability insurance premiums a major reason for physicians leaving Pa. - Bill seeks stricter resident hours - Patient safety newsletter available

Liability insurance premiums a major reason for physicians leaving Pa.

High medical liability insurance rates are the leading reason why new physicians are leaving Pennsylvania, according to a new study sponsored by the Project on Medical Liability in Pennsylvania.

The survey gathered responses from about 360 residents in several specialties, including general surgery, obstetrics and orthopedics. About three-fourths of the respondents said they were planning to leave the state after completing training.

Almost half of the doctors planning to leave said it was due to high cost of liability insurance. High insurance rates received more than three times as many responses as any other possible reason for leaving, including quality of life, living near family, and salary, according to the survey.

Results of the survey were published in this month's Obstetrics and Gynecology. The Project on Medical Liability in Pennsylvania is funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts.

Bill seeks stricter resident hours

Proposed legislation asking for tighter restrictions on residents' work hours and for fines against hospitals violating these requirements has been reintroduced in the House and Senate.

Originally submitted in 2001, the Patient and Physician Safety and Protection Act of 2005 goes beyond the standards set by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, which limit residents to 80-hour weeks and 30-hour in-hospital call shifts. The bills before both chambers of Congress would mirror the work week of 80 hours, but would limit call to 24-hour shifts. They would also allow the government to fine programs $100,000 for violating these limits.

Patient safety newsletter available

The Joint Commission International Center for Patient Safety is offering a free online newsletter.

The monthly Patient Safety Link (www.jcipatientsafety.org/show.asp?durki=10361) journal articles, book excerpts and other resources from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and its affiliate Joint Commission Resources.

Physicians can subscribe by e-mail (patientsafetylink@jcrinc.com).