Analysis of three observational studies reveals diagnostic errors affect at least 1 in 20 US adults annually, highlighting an urgent need for outpatient safety improvements.
Key Points
To estimate the population-based frequency of diagnostic errors among US adults receiving outpatient care.
Synthesized findings from three large observational studies evaluating outpatient care among US adult populations.
Estimated the nationwide rate and burden of outpatient diagnostic errors based on combined observational data.
Diagnostic errors are estimated to affect at least 1 in 20 US adults (approximately 5%) in outpatient clinical settings.
Findings establish foundational epidemiological evidence demonstrating a substantial burden of outpatient diagnostic inaccuracy requiring systematic measurement and intervention.