Hardeep Singh|Eric J. Thomas|Lindsey Wilson|P. Adam Kelly|Kenneth Pietz|Dena Elkeeb|Geeta Singhal
Errors of Diagnosis in Pediatric Practice: A Multisite Survey
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center|Health Services Research & Development|Baylor College of Medicine|Memorial Hermann|Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center|Health Services Research & Development|Baylor College of Medicine|Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center|Health Services Research & Development|Baylor College of Medicine|Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center|Health Services Research & Development|Baylor College of Medicine|Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center|Baylor College of Medicine
objective surveyed pediatricians elicit perceptions regarding frequency contributing factors potential system providerbased solutions address diagnostic errors methods academic community trainee pediatricians n 1362 3 tertiary care institutions 109 affiliated clinics invited complete survey anonymously internet survey administration service november 2008 may 2009 results overall response rate 53 n 726 onehalf 54 respondents reported made diagnostic error least twice per month frequency markedly higher 77 among trainees almost onehalf 45 respondents reported diagnostic errors harmed patients least twice per year failure gather information history physical examination chart review mostcommonly reported process breakdown whereas inadequate care coordination teamwork mostcommonly reported system factor viral illnesses diagnosed bacterial illnesses mostcommonly reported diagnostic error followed misdiagnosis medication side effects psychiatric disorders appendicitis physicians ranked access electronic health records close followup patients strategies likely effective preventing diagnostic errors conclusion pediatricians reported making diagnostic errors relatively frequently patient harm errors uncommon