ACR supports findings of IOM report on diagnostic errors

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) published a report this week about limiting diagnostic errors in healthcare, and the American College of Radiology (ACR) has shared its support of the report’s findings.

The IOM report outlined several ways the healthcare industry could decrease diagnostic errors, including: increased cooperation among healthcare professionals, improved education and training for all healthcare professionals, and cultures that put more value in feedback, effective communication and supporting one another.

“Further minimizing diagnostic errors must involve patients and providers working together and leverage advancing technology to ensure safe, appropriate and accurate care,” Bibb Allen, Jr., MD, chair of the ACR Board of Chancellors, said in a statement. “It is also vital that patients understand their test results as well as the limitations of diagnostic exams.”

Allen also said he agrees with the IOM’s belief that providers should not be punished for making honest mistakes.

“If we truly want a collaborative approach to patient care, health care systems need to encourage these interactions without penalizing providers for examining errors when they do occur,” he said in the same statement. “We are pleased to see the IOM recognize this.”

The ACR was also one of the report’s sponsors, along with the American Society for Clinical Pathology, College of American Pathologists, and numerous other medical organizations. In addition, Allen spoke during the committee’s meetings.

For more coverage about the IOM report, click here. A summary of the report, and the report in its entirety, can be found on the IOM’s website.