Missed diagnosis in the emergency department can result in unplanned hospitalization due to complications from worsening symptoms. In this study, pediatric patients with and without missed emergency department diagnosis were compared to determine differences in outcomes and hospital utilization. Children with missed diagnosis of appendicitis or new-onset diabetic ketoacidosis experienced more complications, hospital days and readmissions; there was no difference for sepsis diagnosis.

Diagnostic errors, including delayed diagnoses, continue to be a patient safety concern. This case-control study of children treated at five pediatric emergency departments explored the preventability of delayed diagnosis of pediatric appendicitis and associated outcomes. Researchers estimated that 23% of delayed diagnosis cases were likely to be preventable and that delayed diagnosis led to longer hospital length of stay, higher perforation rates, and additional surgical procedures.

… J Patient Exp … Patient and family engagement play a  critical role  in patient safety. This study found … care delivery .   … Street RL, Jr., Petrocelli JV, Amroze A, et al. How communication "failed" or "saved the day": …

… Nutr Clin Pract … Administration of parental nutrition is a specialized process that requires distinct competencies to …

This study describes errors associated with parenteral nutrition submitted to the Institute for Safe Medication Practices Medication Errors Reporting Program. The majority of errors occurred during the compounding or dispensing and administration stages.

Medication reconciliation is critical to safe medication use. This prospective cohort study identified high rates of unintentional medication discrepancies among hospitalized children and young adults. The authors conclude that current medication reconciliation practices are inadequate to ensure medication safety.

Medication compounding is prone to dosing errors. This study found that the majority of reviewed home parenteral nutrition preparations, which must be individually compounded based on caloric and nutrient needs, had at least one discrepancy between the formulation prescribed and dispensed. The authors recommend routine reconciliation of home parenteral nutrition compounds with prescriptions to prevent errors.

… the risk of antibiotic-resistant infections and is a recognized patient safety risk. A WebM&M commentary discusses catastrophic complications …

This study discovered that perianesthesia nurses more consistently report serious adverse events compared to minor ones even though the latter may provide equal opportunities for improvement and prevention.