Diagnostic error
Diagnostic error is the failure to make and/​or communicate a correct and timely explanation of a patient’s health problem to the patient, regardless of whether harm results. Diagnostic error is among the top patient safety concerns but can be difficult to detect and prevent.
Why do diagnostic errors happen?
Factors that can contribute to diagnostic errors include:
- System-level factors such as communication breakdowns between providers, erroneous or inadequate diagnostic technology, or inadequate staffing
- Cognitive biases such as mental shortcuts that lead health care providers to errors in decision-making
- Incomplete or inaccurate patient information such as incomplete medical records or gaps in information-sharing between providers
- Limited time with patients that prevents clinicians from obtaining a thorough history, a complete physical examination, or reviewing all relevant medical records
- Patient factors, such as a failure or inability to convey relevant medical history or follow up on diagnostic testing
Resources and tools
These resources can be integrated into an organization’s continuous improvement system as tools for diagnostic error identification, analysis, and problem solving.
Learning from errors
Tools to collect key information and identify causes, contributing factors, and opportunities to improve systems to prevent similar events.
Measuring diagnostic error
Tools that can be immediately applied to support diagnosis-related quality improvement efforts.
Case studies
The Primary Care Research in Diagnosis Errors (PRIDE) Learning Network regularly meets to analyze diagnostic error incidents and develop case studies.
Improving Cancer Diagnosis (ICDx) Center of Excellence
The Betsy Lehman Center is a collaborator in an AHRQ-funded Improving Cancer Diagnosis Center of Excellence. Learn more
