REMEDHOS: the development of a medical and hospital liability database in Quebec.

Confronted in 1985 with the sudden rise of costs for liability protection, the health care sector in Canada took note of the fact that little or no reliable data were available and easily accessible to assess the actual scope and nature of the phenomenon of increasing medical liability suits in Canada. In order to correct this situation, a computerized database was created covering malpractice suits launched against Quebec health care professionals and establishments. This article presents the methodology that was used for the creation of the database; it describes the material that was used, the technical instruments that were developed and the software utilized. It also describes the structure and content of the database and presents its practical application with respect to the areas of risk management, health care evaluation, professional controls and tort reform.