Inaccurate or Delayed Diagnoses Resulted in 34 Percent of Malpractice Cases Involving Serious Harm

Inaccurate or delayed diagnoses are the most common, most catastrophic and most costly of medical errors, according to new research funded by the Society for Diagnosis in Medicine (SIDM). The study, published in the journal Diagnosis, found that 34 percent of malpractice cases resulting in serious harm are due to inaccurate or delayed diagnoses. Researchers also found that 74 percent of inaccurate or delayed diagnoses that result in permanent disability or death are attributable to three disease categories: cancer, vascular events and infections. Improving diagnosis in medicine is a priority for AHRQ, which is working with SIDM and others in the field to apply evidence-based patient safety strategies, predictive analytics, personalized and precision medicine and new technologies at the point of care. AHRQ’s research efforts have led to the development of numerous practical tools and resources to improve diagnostic safety.