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August • 12 • 2025
Hidden in Plain Sight: Exposing the Drivers of Diagnostic Error – Office-Based Practices
White Paper
Summary
This white paper offers a pathway to reducing diagnostic errors in the healthcare office setting.
This white paper is the second in a three-part series examining diagnostic error across key healthcare care settings: emergency departments, office-based practices, and inpatient care. It is based on an analysis of closed medical malpractice events spanning five years (2020–2024).
Office-based practices emerged as the second-most-common location for diagnostic error claims—representing 27% of events and 42% of indemnity paid. Cancer was the most frequently missed diagnosis, accounting for 45% of diagnostic error events in this setting.
By identifying the most frequently missed diagnoses and key system vulnerabilities, this paper offers a pathway to reducing diagnostic errors in the office setting. It includes a self-assessment tool to help practices evaluate their current diagnostic processes, along with five actionable strategies to improve patient safety and mitigate risk.
The first paper in this series is also available and covers emergency department diagnostic error. Our third paper addressing hospital inpatient care will be published in 2026.
Office-based practices emerged as the second-most-common location for diagnostic error claims—representing 27% of events and 42% of indemnity paid. Cancer was the most frequently missed diagnosis, accounting for 45% of diagnostic error events in this setting.
By identifying the most frequently missed diagnoses and key system vulnerabilities, this paper offers a pathway to reducing diagnostic errors in the office setting. It includes a self-assessment tool to help practices evaluate their current diagnostic processes, along with five actionable strategies to improve patient safety and mitigate risk.
The first paper in this series is also available and covers emergency department diagnostic error. Our third paper addressing hospital inpatient care will be published in 2026.
Copyrighted. No legal or medical advice intended. This post includes general risk management guidelines. Such materials are for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current legal or medical developments. These informational materials are not intended, and must not be taken, as legal or medical advice on any particular set of facts or circumstances.