A questionnaire-based survey of errors in diagnostic histopathology throughout the United Kingdom. Issue 6 (June 1997)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Furness, P N; Lauder, I
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical pathology. Volume 50:Issue 6(1997)
• Page Start: 457
• Page End: 460
• Publication Date: 1997-06
• Subjects: Pathology -- Periodicals; Pathology, Molecular -- Periodicals; 616.0705
• DOI: 10.1136/jcp.50.6.457
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9746

Abstract

Abstract : AIMS: To obtain a crude estimate of the rate at which consultant histopathologists become aware of errors in their work, and to gather information about the circumstances under which errors are made. METHODS: A postal questionnaire was sent to all consultant histopathologists (1021) in the United Kingdom. RESULTS: There was a 19.8% response to the questionnaire (202 returned). 119 pathologists reported 244 errors, 82 from within the preceding year. 42% of these errors had affected patient management. Pathologists usually blamed human error or excessive workload; however, data analysis did not reveal an excess of responses from laboratories with heavy workloads. A disproportionately large proportion of errors appear to be made in samples from the lymphoreticular system and by locum consultant pathologists. CONCLUSIONS: This study undoubtedly suffered from reporting bias, but the figures suggest that a typical pathologist probably becomes aware of having made a serious diagnostic error approximately once per year. A larger, more systematic study of the circumstances under which errors are likely to occur appears to be justified but would require significant resources because of the large sample size required.