Following Guidelines Improves Clinical Practices and Reduces Medical Liability Claims

New Report Shows That Following Guidelines Improves Clinical Practices and Reduces Medical Liability Claims Patient Safety Experts to Discuss Findings and Answer Questions During Open Conference Call

What: Improving patient safety and reducing medical errors are at the forefront of healthcare quality improvement and cost reduction initiatives. Comprehensive clinical risk modification programs are an integral part of these efforts. A new report, to be released by MMI Companies, Inc. on Wednesday, June 24, demonstrates the significant impact that following risk modification guidelines has on improving quality of care and lowering costs. The new report, Transforming Insights into Clinical Practice Improvements, analyzes clinical practice improvements and liability losses for three of the most costly and visible areas of healthcare liability -- perinatal care (care delivered just before and after birth), perioperative services (surgery and anesthesia combined) and emergency services. The report found that following all of MMI's risk modification guidelines led to substantially lower average dollar losses per medical malpractice claim than following no guidelines at all -- $2! ,834 vs. $72,767. The report also identified a need to improve diagnostic accuracy in the emergency department, specifically for patients over age 30 experiencing chest pain. The report is based on MMI's comprehensive data set, compiled since 1985 primarily from the Company's hospital clients.

G. Eric Knox, M.D. and Pam Lockowitz will discuss the report's findings and will be available for questions during a conference call on Wednesday, June 24. Dr. Knox is MMI's medical director and director of the Perinatal Center at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis. He is also a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Minnesota. Ms. Lockowitz is president of MMI Risk Management Resources, Inc., a subsidiary of MMI Companies. All interested individuals are invited to participate in the call.

When: Wednesday, June 24, 1998

10 a.m., Central Daylight Time

How: To participate, please call 1-800-482-5543 and give confirmation number 322114.

To receive an advance copy of the report, embargoed news release and key findings summary, please call 847-374-2498 or e-mail Paula Wheeler at [email protected].

Background: Deerfield-based MMI Companies, Inc. is an international healthcare services company with more than 20 years of experience providing a wide range of products and services that help the healthcare industry enhance its performance and manage risks associated with the delivery of care.