Have you or someone you know been affected by a:

• delayed diagnosis
• incorrect diagnosis
• missed diagnosis?

Errors can happen at every stage of the diagnostic process and can happen in all healthcare settings. In some circumstances the impact is life-changing.

If you have insights to share around diagnostic error and the impact on patient safety, please comment below (sign up first here, for free). Or you can contact us directly at [email protected]. 

This post has been published as part of our World Patient Safety Day activity, with the 2024 theme of Improving diagnosis for patient safety.

#WPSD, #WorldPatientSafetyDay, World Patient Safety Day 2024

A few years ago I was undergoing tests for coeliac disease. I was sent by my GP for an endoscopy with an independent provider. A couple of weeks after the procedure, I called my GP surgery to see if they had the results - the receptionist told me they had, and that they said the results were normal. To celebrate I went and enjoyed a blow-out wheaty weekend! 

But on the Monday morning I received a letter in the post that said the biopsy was positive for coeliac disease and I should follow a gluten free diet. I raised this with the GP, and they were apologetic, but said the results come in two stages - the letter the receptionist had seen referred only to visible signs of issues relating to other conditions, not the coeliac biopsy.

I didn't came to any major harm as a result of being given the wrong diagnosis, but I do wonder what would have happened if I hadn't received the second letter myself.

New blog by a patient who had a delayed diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.