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Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Observational Study Protocol for Repeated Clinical Examination and Critical Care Ultrasonography Within the Simple Intensive Care Studies
10:38

Observational Study Protocol for Repeated Clinical Examination and Critical Care Ultrasonography Within the Simple Intensive Care Studies

Published on: January 16, 2019

[Discrepancies between clinical and pathological diagnosis in a polyvalent intensive care service]

M Magret Iglesias1, L Vidaur Tello, S Fernández Olsina

  • 1Servicio de Cuidados Intensivos, Hospital Universitari Joan XXIII, Tarragona España. mnicamgrt@yahoo.es

Medicina Intensiva
|May 30, 2006
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Autopsy revealed diagnostic errors in 16.3% of cases, particularly bacterial infections and cardiovascular disease. Patients with short Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stays had higher diagnostic error rates.

Area of Science:

  • Pathology
  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Medical Quality Assurance

Background:

  • Autopsy plays a crucial role in verifying clinical diagnoses and assessing healthcare quality.
  • Diagnostic errors can significantly impact patient outcomes and treatment strategies.
  • Understanding the patterns of diagnostic errors is essential for improving patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the frequency and types of diseases identified in necropsic studies.
  • To evaluate the association between short Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stays (<24 hours) and the incidence of diagnostic errors.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective, observational study was conducted over 46 months in a polyvalent ICU.
  • Clinical and pathological diagnoses were compared using Goldman's classification.
  • 85 autopsies were performed out of 520 deaths, with 80 cases analyzed.

Main Results:

  • A total of 80 cases were analyzed, revealing major diagnostic errors in 30 patients.
  • Bacterial infections and cardiovascular diseases were the most common diagnoses associated with Type I errors.
  • Patients with ICU stays under 24 hours exhibited a higher rate of major diagnostic errors with therapeutic repercussions (40% vs. 21%, p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

  • Autopsy remains a valuable tool for evaluating the accuracy of clinical diagnoses.
  • Diagnostic errors with therapeutic impact frequently involve bacterial infections and cardiovascular diseases.
  • Shorter ICU stays (<24 hours) are linked to an increased rate of diagnostic errors.

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