Problems with EHRs contribute to diagnostic errors

An Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality qualitative study found a majority of diagnostic errors are partially caused by issues pertaining to electronic health records. Published in April in JAMA Network Open, the authors evaluated closed malpractice claims from January 2015 to September 2021 for ambulatory care related to diagnosis and EHR. EHRs were a potential contributor to diagnostic errors in 61% of the 199 diagnosis-related claims. Missed or delayed diagnoses were the most prevalent outcomes for claims at 71%. The authors call for the continued need to optimize EHR design, interoperability, training and safety surveillance to decrease diagnostic errors. (AHRQ News Now article, 5/9/23)