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Defining error in anatomic pathology
1Department of Pathology, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, IL 60068, USA. ronsir@jhu.edu
Context:
Although much has been said and written about medical error and about error in pathology since the publication of the Institute of Medicine's report on medical error in 1999, precise definitions of what constitutes error in anatomic pathology do not exist for the specialty. Without better definitions, it is impossible to accurately judge errors in pathology. The lack of standardized definitions has implications for patient care and for the legal judgment of malpractice.
Objectives:
To review the goals of anatomic pathology, to discuss the problems inherent in applying these goals to the judgment of error in pathology, to offer definitions of major and minor errors in pathology, and to discuss error in anatomic pathology in relation to the classic laboratory test cycle.
Data Sources:
Existing literature.
Conclusion:
Definitions for major and minor error in anatomic pathology are proffered, and anatomic pathology error is characterized in the classic test cycle.
Insights
Precise definitions for anatomic pathology errors are lacking, hindering accurate judgment and impacting patient care and malpractice litigation. This study proposes definitions for major and minor errors in pathology.
Area of Science:
- Medical error analysis
- Pathology diagnostics
Background:
- Medical error has been widely discussed since 1999, but precise definitions for errors in anatomic pathology are absent.
- The lack of standardized definitions impedes accurate error assessment and has implications for patient care and legal judgments.
- Existing literature highlights the critical need for clear terminology in anatomic pathology error.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the objectives of anatomic pathology.
- To identify challenges in judging pathology errors.
- To propose definitions for major and minor errors and contextualize them within the laboratory test cycle.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on medical and pathology error.
Main Results:
- Proposed definitions for major and minor errors in anatomic pathology.
- Characterization of anatomic pathology error within the standard laboratory test cycle.
Conclusions:
- Established definitions for major and minor errors in anatomic pathology.
- Anatomic pathology error is understood in the context of the classic laboratory test cycle.
