New Institute of Medicine Report Finds Diagnostic Errors Continue to Put Americans at Risk
Pathologists and clinical laboratories could help reduce error rate through greater collaboration with providers Expect the topic of diagnostic mistakes to get more media attention in coming years. That is consistent with the efforts of healthcare policymakers to improve patient safety while making it easier for consumers to access information about the quality and cost when selecting hospitals, physicians, and medical laboratories. One opening salvo in this campaign is a new report from the...“Choosing Wisely” Program Wants to Encourage Better Utilization of Clinical Pathology Laboratory Tests
For years, pathologists and physicians have spoken out about the overuse of medical laboratory tests and other diagnostic procedures. Now an interesting alliance of a medical specialty association and Consumers Reports has come together with a highly-publicized plan designed to reduce unnecessary or inappropriate testing by encouraging physicians to more deeply involve patients in the process.
