full free text: The safety implications of missed test results for hospitalised patients: a systematic review -- BMJ Quality and Safety (references World Alliance for Patient Safety)

Introduction

The World Alliance for Patient Safety recently identified poor test follow-up as one of the major processes contributing to unsafe patient care.1 Failure to follow up test results increases the risk of missed or delayed diagnoses. This may produce suboptimal clinical outcomes2–8 with potential medicolegal implications.9–12......

.........All seven studies explored the impact on patient outcomes31–33 35–38 which included no negative effects,31 a delayed diagnosis from a missed x-ray report,37 one case of missed positive Chlamydia where the patient subsequently developed pelvic inflammatory disease,36 inappropriate or unnecessary antibiotics prescribed,35 missed cancer diagnoses33 and death.38.....cont'd