Unfortunately, diagnostic errors are not uncommon in the medical field. Research showed that an estimated 795,000 Americans become permanently disabled or die annually because of diagnostic errors. So, it’s a serious issue affecting people who expect to receive reasonable care from medical professionals.
Here is what to know about diagnostic errors:
Types of diagnostic errors
A diagnostic error occurs when a physician fails to identify a patient’s condition correctly and on time. Or identifies it but fails to communicate the explanation of the patient’s health problem to the patient.
The primary types of diagnostic errors are:
- Missed diagnosis: A patient’s condition is not identified at all. The patient does not get an explanation of their symptoms. They may be told there is nothing to worry about and that the symptoms are probably stress-related and will resolve on their own.
- Misdiagnosis: Also called wrong diagnosis, this error occurs when a patient is diagnosed with an incorrect condition, resulting in unnecessary treatment.
- Delayed diagnosis: The correct diagnosis is eventually made but after a significant and avoidable time gap.
These errors can significantly harm a patient. For starters, the underlying condition can worsen. Also, inappropriate treatment after a misdiagnosis can result in adverse drug reactions and financial loss.
Causes of diagnostic errors
Various factors contribute to diagnostic errors. These include communication breakdowns, cognitive bias, inadequate staffing, testing failures, referral delays and a patient failing to accurately share medical history/follow up on tests.
Healthcare settings should have systems that eliminate the chances of diagnostic errors. For instance, using standardized diagnostic protocols, encouraging diagnostic timeouts, hiring enough professionals to avoid rushed appointments, implementing closed-loop communication and embracing technology.
Diagnostic errors don’t receive enough attention, yet some physicians year after year make mistakes that can be prevented. If you or your loved one was harmed because of a diagnostic error, consider legal guidance to understand your options.