News, Analysis, Trends, Management Innovations for
Clinical Laboratories and Pathology Groups

Hosted by Robert Michel

News, Analysis, Trends, Management Innovations for
Clinical Laboratories and Pathology Groups

Hosted by Robert Michel
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Medical Malpractice Study Reveals that Pathologists Are at Greater Risk than Other Specialists for Claims and Lawsuits

Study shows pathologists are at greater risk for malpractice lawsuits than other physician specialties

It is estimated that pathologists and other healthcare providers paid nearly $31 billion in malpractice insurance in 2011, according to a recently-published study. Researchers also determined that pathologists are at greater risk of malpractice claims than most other medical specialties and are more likely to have unfavorable outcomes when those claims are litigated.

Study Compares Malpractice Claims According to Physician Specialty

Patients for Fair Compensation (PFC) conducted the study. It was published in The JAMA Network’s Archives of Internal Medicine. Researchers investigated the proportion of malpractice claims that result in litigation or the outcomes of the litigation process, according to the authors’ abstract. In particular, the study focused on the different outcomes according to physician specialty. (more…)

Alberta’s Next Round of Clinical Laboratory Consolidation Alarms Pathologists

Plans are to centralize all cervical cancer screening in just two Alberta medical laboratories


Ongoing efforts to further consolidate clinical laboratory testing in the Canadian Province of Alberta caused local pathologists earlier this year to go on record to specifically oppose a proposed consolidation of Pap Smear testing. Over the past 15 years, the Alberta government has never been timid in its efforts to use consolidation of clinical pathology laboratory testing as a way to achieve cost savings.

During the past winter, more than 30 pathologists in Alberta signed letters to Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky to protest the consolidation of all the province’s Pap Smear testing into just two clinical laboratories—one in Edmonton and one in Calgary. As a result of the government’s decision to consolidate this medical laboratory testing service, cytology laboratories in Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Red Deer, and the University of Alberta Hospital would no longer perform Pap smear testing.
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