Epidemiology of diagnostic errors in pediatric emergency departments using electronic triggers.

Electronic triggers and trigger tools are important methods of identifying and studying adverse events, such as missed opportunities for improving diagnosis (MOID). Using three triggers and the Revised Safer Dx Instrument, this study uncovered the frequency, type, causative factors, and severity of diagnostic errors in pediatric emergency departments. The overall frequency of MOID was 2.6% for the entire cohort, the majority of which resulted in patient harm.