Legal Analysis of Hospitals' Legal Responsibility for Doctors' Misdiagnosis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15575/jis.v6i4.58525Keywords:
doctor's misdiagnosis, hospital, legal responsibilityAbstract
Misdiagnosis by doctors is a common form of medical malpractice with potentially fatal consequences. However, the Indonesian legal system has yet to establish a comprehensive framework of hospital liability that prioritizes patient protection. This study aims to examine the legal basis of hospital responsibility for doctors' diagnostic errors under Indonesian regulations and propose an ideal juridical construction as a reference for resolving malpractice disputes in health services. A normative juridical approach is employed by analyzing legislation and relevant case studies to formulate a descriptive-analytical model of hospital accountability. The findings reveal that hospital responsibility is multidimensional, encompassing juridical, ethical, professional, and social aspects, grounded in theories of liability, including strict and vicarious liability principles, as supported by legal norms such as Law No. 17 of 2023 and Government Regulation No. 47 of 2021. Diagnostic errors commonly result from procedural negligence and weak quality control; thus, hospitals must implement structural reforms and provide comprehensive patient protection. The ideal juridical construction for malpractice dispute resolution should be integrative, built upon the four pillars of the Integrative-Tetradic Realism Theory: legal certainty, substantive justice, social utility, and public participation. A collaborative approach between law and medicine, along with restorative, non-litigation mechanisms, offers a more equitable and humane solution. In conclusion, hospital accountability for misdiagnosis must reflect a multidimensional, ethical, and systemic approach to ensure safe, fair, and high-quality healthcare services for all members of society.
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