Cummiskey is drafting a bill modeled after a Massachusetts law to let patients find out roughly what their doctors pay in malpractice cases and whether hospitals restrict a doctor's privileges. To find that out now, a patient must go to a courthouse and review lawsuits. However, many malpractice cases are settled under terms of secrecy so details are not in the file. Lawsuits as indicators Tucson attorney Dan Cavett, who has represented doctors for 15 years in malpractice cases, said lawsuits are not necessarily a good indicator of poor patient care. And doctors sometimes settle cases because of pressure from insurance companies or to avoid the costly hassles of litigation, he said.
Hospitals report to a federal database when they restrict a doctor's privilege to work.
That lets other hospitals check the doctor's performance. But the database is closed to the public. Six Tucson hospitals contacted for this story all refused to say how many times they restricted privileges of doctors, much less which ones. Some contend the medical board should not bear the full brunt of the blame when patients aren't informed. Phoenix Republican Sue Gerard, who presides over the House Health Committee, said patients should ask more questions and seek referrals when they choose a doctor.