NFO Business of Medicine Web Series: Diagnostic Errors

The diagnostic process often includes multiple steps over the course of time. Errors that occur during this process may go unrecognized, despite the fact that these errors are common, more likely to harm patients than other types of errors, and often preventable. Understanding how diagnostic errors occur and addressing root causes are key strategies to improving patient safety and reducing liability exposure. This program reviews trends in diagnosis-related malpractice allegations and examines the risk factors that contribute to diagnostic errors across the healthcare continuum. A variety of risk strategies designed to reduce diagnostic errors are presented along with best practices related to patient assessment, documentation, and follow-up. Objectives: Describe how diagnostic errors occur throughout the diagnostic process. Identify and analyze contributing factors/root causes of diagnostic errors that affect patient safety. Discuss how contributing factors are similar and different across practice settings. Identify processes and systems that reduce and prevent diagnostic errors.