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Diagnostic delays in infectious diseases
Manish Suneja1, Susan E Beekmann1, Gurpreet Dhaliwal2,3
1Department of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
Diagnosis (Berlin, Germany)
|January 24, 2022
Summary
Diagnostic delays in infectious diseases are common, impacting patient outcomes. Key factors include initial misdiagnosis and incorrect testing, highlighting areas for improved clinical practice and patient safety.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Diagnostics
- Healthcare Quality Improvement
Background:
- Diagnostic delays contribute significantly to patient morbidity and mortality.
- Limited research exists on the incidence and influencing factors of diagnostic delays for various infectious diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of diagnostic delays for six common infectious diseases.
- To identify factors contributing to diagnostic delays in adult infectious disease care.
Main Methods:
- A 25-item survey was distributed to Infectious Diseases (ID) physicians in the Emerging Infections Network (EIN).
- The survey assessed diagnostic delays for tuberculosis, non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections, syphilis, epidural abscess, infective endocarditis, and endemic fungal infections.
Main Results:
- Physicians identified "diagnosis not considered initially" and "appropriate test not ordered" as primary causes of delay.
- Unusual presentations, delayed ID physician consultation, and testing errors (wrong test, lab availability, processing delays) were also significant factors.
Conclusions:
- Diagnostic delays are prevalent for the studied infectious diseases.
- Identified contributing factors offer targets for interventions to reduce diagnostic delays and improve patient care.
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