Difficult diagnosis in the ICU: making the right call but beware uncertainty and bias.

W Pisciotta; P Arina; D Hofmaenner; M Singer

Review

Difficult diagnosis in the ICU: making the right call but beware uncertainty and bias.

March 22, 2023

Pisciotta W, Arina P, Hofmaenner D, et al. Anaesthesia. 2023;78(4):501-509.

View more articles from the same authors.

A 2012 review estimated that diagnostic errors in the intensive care unit (ICU) may contribute to up to 8% of patient deaths. This narrative review identifies common causes of diagnostic error (e.g., cognitive bias) and suggests a diagnostic framework. Cognitive de-biasing strategies and increasing time spent with the patient are recommended as strategies for reducing diagnostic errors in this vulnerable patient population.

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See More About The Topic

Intensive Care Units

Critical Care

Clinical Misdiagnosis

Cognitive Errors ("Mistakes")

Education and Training

Difficult diagnosis in the ICU: making the right call but beware uncertainty and bias.

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