Communication failures between providers and patients are rising
A decade after Candello’s 2015 Benchmarking Report found communication failures in 30% of malpractice cases, that number has climbed to 40% in Candello’s latest report, Malpractice Risks from Communication Failures. The fresh report analyzes both closed and asserted cases from 2014–2024, revealing a shift in where communication breakdowns are happening and why.
Key Findings:
- Changing patterns: Provider-to-patient communication failures are rising—now seen in 63% of communication-related cases, up from 58% in 2015, while provider-to-provider failures have declined slightly (47% to 45%).
- Persistent risk: 40% of asserted MPL cases from 2014–2024 involved communication-related factors.
- Higher payment likelihood: Communication-related cases had a 39% greater odds of closing with an indemnity payment.
- Technology impact: New communication tools, including virtual visits, are introducing fresh risk patterns.
- Outpatient shift:Breakdowns are more common in ambulatory settings (52%) than inpatient environments (41%).
This analysis underscores that while technology and team coordination continue to evolve, direct, clear communication with patients remains one of the most critical—and vulnerable—elements of safe care.
Download your copy of the report.