ProMutual Group's New Apology Program Helps Physicians And Hospitals React After Adverse Outcomes

Main Category: Public Health
Also Included In: Litigation / Medical Malpractice
Article Date: 21 Jan 2009 - 7:00 PDT

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A new program from Medical Professional Mutual Insurance Company and its subsidiaries ("ProMutual Group"), a leading provider of medical liability insurance in the Northeast, was recently instituted in a pilot phase to address the needs of physicians, hospitals and their patients following certain adverse medical outcomes. Called REACT(SM) for Respond Effectively And Communicate Timely, the program was established to work with physicians and patients to promote disclosure and apology, help prevent the reoccurrence of adverse medical outcomes and reduce litigation.  The program will also provide appropriate reimbursement of expenses to patients and their families following such events.

The REACT Program's foundation is based on ProMutual Group's many years of promoting and advocating open and honest discussions between physicians, hospitals and their patients following adverse medical outcomes. Over the past several years, some states have adopted benevolent gesture laws, commonly referred to as "apology immunity laws," which protect healthcare providers from apologies or other benevolent gestures being used against them in court. Recently, other organizations have instituted programs based on apology and disclosure that are a similitude of the principles ProMutual Group has advocated for over a decade.

"We as a company have always felt that apology and disclosure was simply the right thing to do," said Richard W. Brewer, president and CEO of ProMutual Group. The company is a longstanding supporter of disclosure and apology and has created numerous publications, newsletters, and guidelines and been cited in articles on the subject. It has also offered consultations and an emotional support program for physicians dealing with adverse events for over 10 years. "The REACT Program is an embodiment of our beliefs as a company and desire to support both physicians and patients in the event of an adverse medical outcome. After dedicating significant time to developing the program, it is a timely addition to ProMutual Group's collection of resources and benefits for policyholders."

Studies show that apology and disclosure following an adverse outcome often satisfactorily resolve the situation for patients. In light of this research as well as anecdotal evidence from more than 30 years as a medical liability insurer, ProMutual Group tailored the REACT Program to address the needs of physicians, hospitals and their patients. When adverse outcomes occur, patients want answers and information. Physicians and hospitals want to apologize and provide disclosure, but may feel intimidated by the possibility of litigation. With this in mind, the REACT Program's goal is to bring about a satisfactory resolution to an adverse outcome by encouraging empathy and communication to preserve the physician-patient relationship. The REACT Program is available to guide physicians and hospitals through the disclosure and apology process while also addressing patients' desire to understand what happened and providing appropriate financial reimbursement of expenses after an adverse event occurs.

In addition to this, as a financially responsible company ProMutual Group hopes that its program will be successful in reducing litigation. ProMutual Group physician and facility policyholders in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut will be able to enroll in the REACT Program immediately.

For more information about ProMutual Group and its REACT Program visit http://www.promutualgroup.com.

About ProMutual Group

ProMutual Group is one of the leading providers of medical liability insurance in the Northeast, insuring more than 18,000 physicians, surgeons, and dentists as well as a large number of hospitals, health centers and clinics. It is one of the top 10 medical liability insurance providers in the country based on direct written premium.* ProMutual Group has in excess of $2.2 billion in net admitted assets, more than $600 million in policyholder surplus and over $300 million in direct written premium as of 2007. ProMutual Group has a Best's Rating of A- (Excellent), and is acknowledged as a leader in providing risk management and claim services to the healthcare community.

Based in Massachusetts, ProMutual Group member companies also operate in Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont. ProMutual Group distributes its products through independent agents. For more information, visit ProMutual Group's web site at http://www.promutualgroup.com.

* U.S. Medical Malpractice - 2007 Direct Premiums Written, Best's Review, August 2008.

ProMutual Group

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