If you have read this blog, the first part of the title shouldn’t be shocking. There are few ways to hold health care providers accountable – and thereby increase patient safety for all – outside of the civil lawsuit.

But a new report many of you have heard stating that medical error is the third leading cause of death in the US, contains another little nugget. The Doctors Company, a leading physician-owned malpractice insurer, is using the data it collects on medical negligence lawsuits in an effort to teach its members to avoid mistakes that may result in malpractice claims.

You can read an article about this here:

[Health providers research malpractice suits to improve safety](http://www.cnbc.com/2016/05/10/health-providers-research-malpractice-suits-to-improve-safety.html)

Although perhaps TDC’s goal is not one born of complete altruism (and instead a reduction in claims), the result is hopefully the same: greater care to avoid malpractice that results in claims.