Theme 1: Reducing Diagnostic Errors
Dave, N., Bui, S., Morgan, C., Hickey, S., & Paul, C. L. (2021). Interventions targeted at reducing diagnostic error: Systematic review. BMJ Quality & Safety, 31(4), 297–307. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjqs-2020-012704
This review categorizes 43 diagnostic error interventions, highlighting educational, decision-support, team-based, and patient-involved strategies. It helps nurses recognize evidence-based methods for improving diagnostic accuracy through communication and teamwork. Nurses can apply structured handoffs and checklists, especially in acute care settings where early recognition and reporting are critical to patient outcomes.
Giardina, T. D., Hunte, H., Hill, M. A., Heimlich, S. L., Singh, H., & Smith, K. M. (2022). Defining diagnostic error: A scoping review to assess the impact of the National Academies’ report improving diagnosis in health care. Journal of Patient Safety, 18(8), 770–778. https://doi.org/10.1097/pts.0000000000000999
This review explores inconsistencies in defining and reporting diagnostic errors since a 2015 national report. It helps nurses understand the need for standardized terminology to improve communication and quality reporting. Nurses can use this resource to advocate for clear documentation and escalate diagnostic concerns more confidently in clinical settings.
Nguyen, M. C., Moffatt-Bruce, S. D., Strosberg, D. S., Puttmann, K. T., Pan, Y. L., & Eiferman, D. S. (2016). Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) patient safety indicator for postoperative respiratory failure (PSI 11) does not identify accurately patients who received unsafe care. Surgery, 160(4), 858–868. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surg.2016.05.032
This study critiques PSI 11’s effectiveness in detecting true postoperative respiratory failures. It informs nurses about the limitations of administrative indicators and highlights the need for clinical vigilance. Nurses can apply this insight during postoperative monitoring to supplement data-based tools with real-time assessments for early detection of patient deterioration.