Abstract
Objective to evaluate the diagnostic concordance between the emergency service and hospitalisation ward in a medium-to long-stay hospital. Patients and method all patients attended in the emergency service over a 2.5-month period were included in the study. We used a three-level concordance classification system: A (complete diagnostic match), B (syndromal concordance) and C (error). For the statistical analysis we grouped the patients into two categories (A + B and C) and studied the variables associated with erroneous diagnoses. Results a total of 528 patients were included. We found 64% of patients in level A, 16.3% in level B and 19.7% in level C. The most frequent cause of errors was inadequate clinical evaluation in the emergency room. Old age was the sole variable significantly associated with errors. Conclusions bearing in mind the characteristics of our patients, the overall concordance seems to be acceptable. Old age can influence a higher likelihood of diagnostic error and consequently thorough clinical evaluation is essential to try to minimise it.
Published Version
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