| Theme | Dialysis Safety Management Issues | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Litigation pertaining to dialysis treatment | |
| Publish Date | 2009/06 | |
| Author | Toru Hiyama | Health Service Center, Hiroshima University |
| Author | Emi Hiyama | Department of Maritime Police, Japan Coast Guard Academy |
| Author | Masaharu Yoshihara | Health Service Center, Hiroshima University |
| [ Summary ] | The characteristics of recent Japanese litigation indicate an increase in civil court cases in which plaintiffs claim a lack of informed consent and indicate an increase in criminal prosecutions against medical staff members, due to medical negligence. According to the Japanese legal databases, six civilcourt cases pertaining to dialysis treatment were identified. In addition to these cases, there was acase where a nurse was convicted of professional negligence resulting in death due to mishandlingof the hemodialysis apparatus. We can glean agreat deal of critical information from judicialprecedent. Examining these cases may be a useful method to reduce medical liability. | |