Closing the Loop: Multi-Disciplinary Strategies for Reducing Diagnostic Error in Acute Care
Abstract
Background: Diagnostic error in acute care represents a pervasive threat to patient safety, contributing to significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. These failures are rarely due to individual incompetence but are systemic, arising from complex interactions across the care continuum—from prehospital assessment to specialist interpretation and follow-up. Aim: This narrative review aims to synthesize evidence on multi-disciplinary, system-oriented strategies for reducing diagnostic error in acute settings, integrating the unique perspectives and interventions of clinical laboratory science, medical imaging, emergency medical services, nursing, social work, preventive medicine, public health, and health security. Methods: A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases (2010-2024) was conducted. Included studies, reviews, and grey literature were analyzed thematically to construct a narrative synthesis of collaborative error-reduction frameworks. Results: Effective strategies form an interdependent "safety loop." Critical components include standardized handoff protocols (EMS), structured result communication and "second-look" practices (lab/radiology), nursing clinical surveillance, social work-mediated health literacy interventions, preventive medicine-led quality improvement cycles, public health surveillance of error trends, and health security principles fostering a just culture of reporting. Conclusion: Mitigating diagnostic error requires moving beyond siloed solutions to implement integrated, multi-professional systems. A culture of psychological safety, supported by structured communication and continuous learning, is essential for closing the diagnostic loop and ensuring reliable acute care.
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References
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Authors
Copyright (c) 2024 Zainab Hussein Alhassan, Abdullah Samah Almutairi, Faisl Mohammed Hamad Alotaibi, Ahmed Raji Alanazi, Fatem Hassan Yahya Madkhali, Sultan Mohammed Ibrahim Aati, Mohammad Ali Mahzari, Ali Marzoug Ayed Almashely, Zahara Salman Hamid Almaqadi, Noha Abdullah Alanazi, Rahmah Ahmed Mughram Alamri, Reem Hajad Shabwan Alshamrani, Nesren Ageel Bashkoor, Mohammed Nefal Aldosari
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