Diagnostic Errors

March 9, 2018 | Health System Risk Management

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According to both studies and claims analyses, diagnostic errors are, unfortunately, common. Each year, at least 1 in 20 adults experiences a diagnostic error, and diagnostic error represents the most common, most costly, and most deadly malpractice allegation. Despite its frequency, however, "the problem is so underrecognized," states Gail M. Horvath, MSN, RN, CNOR, CRCST, patient safety analyst and consultant, ECRI Institute. Why the paradox?

In recent years, "we've been able to make great inroads into easily quantifiable patient safety issues," such as falls and harm from falls, wrong-site surgery, and medication errors, explains Horvath. Diagnostic errors, on the other hand, are challenging to measure and learn from. Diagnosis often occurs in ambulatory settings but can require coordination and communication across settings and providers. This can make it challenging to recognize, report, and learn from diagnostic errors. In acute care settings, diagnostic errors are often recognized after the patient leaves the hospital or emergency department (ED). Sometimes, errors go undetected for years or are never detected. Previously unrecognized diagnoses that may have contributed to death have been found...

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