Diagnostic error is a frequent and costly allegation in emergency medicine and hospital professional liability claims. In our analysis of Constellation claims originating in the hospital, the emergency department (ED) was the top location in total incurred cost. The leading cause of injury and claims are clinical judgment factors in patient assessment, including delay or …
Preventing Diagnostic Error in the Emergency Department Read More »
Follow-up system failures contribute to almost half of all diagnostic error malpractice claims. Even when appropriate clinical steps are taken to lead to a correct diagnosis, we still see diagnostic error due to failures in follow-up systems. Problems with follow-up and care coordination lead to poor patient outcomes, patient dissatisfaction, care team burnout, inefficiencies and …
Follow-Up System Failures: Closing the Loop on the Diagnostic Process Part 1 Read More »
Diagnostic error is the third most frequent malpractice allegation in the outpatient setting and leads all other allegation categories in total costs expended (MMIC data). Fortunately, there are many points in the diagnostic process on which to focus improvement efforts, from the initial assessment (where half of issues arise) through testing and results processing, to …