Malpractice insurance for Surgical Technicians

Malpractice insurance is essential for surgical technicians due to the high-stakes nature of their role in assisting surgeons during operations.

Surgical technicians are responsible for preparing surgical instruments, maintaining a sterile environment, and assisting with procedures, all of which carry inherent risks. Any mistakes, such as improper sterilization of equipment or handing the wrong tool to a surgeon, can lead to complications or infections, potentially resulting in legal claims of negligence.

Malpractice insurance helps protect surgical technicians from the financial consequences of these claims, covering legal defense costs, settlements, and judgments that might arise from professional errors.

Malpractice Insurance for Surgical Technicians can include:

Option to include general liability insurance
Coverage limits of up to $2 million per individual claim
Complete authority to approve settlement decisions
Protection for telemedicine and telehealth services
Legal defense coverage for professional license issues
Legal defense expenses covered in addition to liability limits
Defense coverage for allegations of sexual misconduct
Protection for HIPAA-related privacy violation claims
Portable coverage available 24/7, applicable in volunteer work, telehealth roles, per diem, or moonlighting assignments

Why do Surgical Technitions need Insurance?

Surgical technicians need insurance as the nature of their job exposes them to potential legal claims for malpractice due to various factors:

Errors in Sterilization and Infection Control: Surgical technicians are responsible for the sterilization of instruments and maintaining a sterile environment. Failure in these tasks can lead to post-operative infections, which are a common basis for malpractice lawsuits.
Improper Handling or Preparation of Instruments and Supplies: They are also responsible for ensuring that all the necessary surgical instruments and supplies are available and properly prepared for the procedure. Errors in this area, such as incorrect instrument counts leading to retained foreign objects in a patient’s body, can result in serious complications and grounds for malpractice claims.
Technical Errors During Procedures: Although surgical technicians do not perform surgeries, their actions directly support the surgical procedure. Mistakes such as handing over the wrong instrument, improper setup of surgical equipment, or failure to follow the surgeon’s instructions accurately can lead to surgical errors, for which they might be held partially responsible.
Breach of Patient Confidentiality: Surgical technicians are privy to sensitive patient information. Any unauthorized disclosure of patient data can result in legal action against them for breaching patient confidentiality, a cornerstone of medical ethics and legal obligations under laws like HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) in the United States.
Lack of Communication: Effective communication is vital in the operating room. Miscommunication or failure to communicate important information about a patient’s condition, allergies, or the specifics of a surgical procedure can have dire consequences. Surgical technicians are part of the surgical team, and any miscommunication can be a potential source of liability.

Given these challenges, malpractice or liability insurance becomes essential for surgical technicians. It provides financial protection against claims of professional negligence, covering legal fees, settlements, and any awarded damages.