AHRQ Patient Safety Network ► Ebola US Patient Zero: lessons on misdiagnosis and effective use of electronic health records.

AHRQ Patient Safety Network

Article reviews what's known about misdiagnosis of first US Ebola case, in context of diagnostic errors in general.Diagnosis. 2014 Oct 23; [Epub ahead of print].

Ebola US Patient Zero: lessons on misdiagnosis and effective use of electronic health records.

Upadhyay DK, Sittig DF, Singh H. Diagnosis. 2014 Oct 23; [Epub ahead of print].

Misdiagnosis and errors linked to electronic health records (EHRs) are common concerns in patient safety. This commentary examines these elements in the context of the first Ebola case in the United States to reveal weaknesses in emergency department care, disaster management, and diagnostic processes. The case analysis highlights challenges associated with forming diagnoses and the usability of EHRs as decision support tools.

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