American Journal of Perinatology Reports (Oct 2018)

Diagnostic Errors in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Case Series

  • Grant J. Shafer,
  • Gautham Suresh

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0038-1676619
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 08, no. 04
pp. e379 – e383

Abstract

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Diagnostic errors remain understudied in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The few available studies are primarily autopsy-based, and do not evaluate diagnostic errors that did not result in the patient's death. This case series presents 10 examples of nonlethal diagnostic errors in the NICU—classified according to the component of the diagnostic process which led to the error. These cases demonstrate the presence of diagnostic error in the NICU and highlight the need for further research on this important topic.

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