Issue Brief Finds Mixed Evidence on Checklists To Reduce Diagnostic Errors

A new AHRQ-funded issue brief on diagnostic safety reviews the status of evidence on the value of checklists to reduce diagnostic errors. Checklists are considered a promising intervention because they can support clinicians in their diagnostic decision-making by helping them take correct diagnostic steps and ensuring that possible diagnoses are not overlooked. However, research on the use of checklists in diagnostic safety is still in its infancy, and thus far evidence of effectiveness is mixed, so the authors concluded that checklists to improve diagnostic reasoning are not yet ready for use in clinical practice. Previous AHRQ-funded issue briefs explored telediagnosis for acute care and operational measurement of diagnostic safety.