Defensive medicine describes the unnecessary practices and medical procedures that are done by the medics to avoid legal processes. These tests are carried out as self-protection measures for various malpractices. Defensive medicine is a mechanism that is employed in medical situations that are characterized by professional negligence. Extra medical operations are involved in defensive medicine that may not add any value to the health status of the patient. This practice deviates reality in handling the high risk patients to avoid all sorts of liability. This is a very expensive endeavor that may expose the patient to various risks (Oliver, & Scherz, 2013).
As a financial officer in a healthcare organization in the United States, defensive medicine is a practice that wastes a lot of resources. This is because a defensive medicine accounts for a very significant proportion of the healthcare budget. This is one of the endeavors that brings about inflation in healthcare spending in the United States. It is very difficult to ascertain the exact cost of the resources that are used in defensive medicine (Manner, 2014). These medical costs are extremely unnecessary and if avoided, a lot of costs can be acquired to finance other medical initiatives. This translates to significant economic implications in the healthcare budget.
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Medical malpractices lead to litigations that end up increasing the cost that is related to management and maintenance of healthcare facilities. Medical responsibility and accountability is very necessary. This is because it may protect the healthcare organizations against defensive medicine. This is imperative because it will lead to saving of finances and enhancing patient safety. Increased medical efficiency is critical towards the reduction of incentives related to defensive medicine. The costs related to defensive medicine act as the malpractice insurance for the medical experts (Oliver, & Scherz, 2013). Therefore, the rising costs of medical services due to defensive medicine is attributed to the increased number of lawsuits against the medical experts.
- Manner, P. (2014). Practicing Defensive Medicine. American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons. 2014.
- Oliver, W. & Scherz, H. (2013). Defensive Medicine: A Cure Worse Than the Disease. Forbes Magazine. August 2013.
