Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 30, 2025
Lung CT Segmentation to Identify Consolidations and Ground Glass Areas for Quantitative Assesment of SARS-CoV Pneumonia
Published on: December 19, 2020
Delayed Diagnosis of Pulmonary Thromboembolism Due to Overfocus on COVID-19
Yukinori Harada1, Taro Shimizu1
1Department of Diagnostic and Generalist Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University Hospital, Mibu, Tochigi, Japan.
Insights
During the COVID-19 pandemic, physicians may overlook serious conditions like pulmonary thromboembolism due to COVID-19 concerns. Employing zero-based thinking is crucial to avoid diagnostic errors and ensure patient safety.
Area of Science:
- Medicine
- Internal Medicine
- Psychiatry
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted standard medical diagnostic procedures.
- Physicians' focus on COVID-19 can lead to overlooking other potential diagnoses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the risk of diagnostic errors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To emphasize the importance of zero-based thinking in clinical practice.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 25-year-old man with adjustment disorder presenting with dyspnoea.
- Initial COVID-19 exclusion followed by a delayed diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism.
Main Results:
- A patient initially suspected of having COVID-19 was later diagnosed with pulmonary thromboembolism.
- Diagnostic overshadowing by COVID-19 concerns led to a near-miss diagnosis.
Conclusions:
- Physicians must maintain zero-based thinking to avoid diagnostic errors, especially during pandemics.
- Overlooking non-COVID-19 conditions can have life-threatening consequences.
- Vital sign assessment after ambulation may aid in diagnosing pulmonary thromboembolism.
Abstract:
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has made it difficult for physicians to follow their usual diagnostic processes. We present the case of a 25-year-old man with adjustment disorder who developed dyspnoea. He was concerned about COVID-19, but his test result was negative. After excluding COVID-19, the physician concluded that his symptoms were related to his psychiatric condition. However, the patient was diagnosed with pulmonary thromboembolism by another physician. To avoid missing a diagnosis, physicians must practice zero-based thinking, regardless of COVID-19 concerns, and not be distracted from the patient's core problems.
Learning Points:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, significant diagnostic errors can occur because physicians are so concerned about COVID-19 that they may ignore other diagnoses.To avoid missing a life-threatening condition during the COVID-19 pandemic, physicians must consider zero-based thinking, regardless of COVID-19 concerns, and not be distracted from the patient's core problems.Measuring vital signs after a short walk can be helpful for investigating suspected pulmonary thromboembolism.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
01:29Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction
01:27Pulmonary Embolism III: Nursing Management
01:26Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
01:30Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment
01:28Pulmonary Tuberculosis V
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the...