An anesthesiologist chips a patient''s tooth during a difficult intubation. A surgeon leaves tiny abrasions on a patient''s abdomen during a delicate surgical procedure. And an operating room nurse accidentally nips a patient''s finger with a pair of scissors.

Not all of these examples of medical mistakes will result in malpractice suits. But for the ones that do, health care providers must invariably come to grips with facing the most important step in defending a medical malpractice lawsuit - the deposition phase. Whether or not a malpractice case ends in settlement or at trial, depositions are the most important pieces of evidence because a witness'' performance during this phase is literally carved in stone, and facts elicited from depositions often play a major role throughout the remainder of the litigation.

The Health Care Providers Guide To Facing The Malpractice Deposition can provide anyone in the health care industry with the tools necessary to come out of a malpractice deposition unscathed or with as few bruises as possible. This exhaustive book includes excerpts from actual depositions, and addresses topics such as law and legal thinking, the standard of care, preparing for the deposition, and common forms of interrogation.

While this text will not protect health care providers from malpractice litigation or prevent pricey settlements and judgments, it can help prevent medical personnel from becoming self-damaging witnesses and their own worst enemies.