Recognizing the urgent need for a broad-based effort globally to reduce errors in medical diagnosis, the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling on all stakeholders to "Get it right, make it safe!" as part of the World Patient Safety Day campaign on 17 September. The theme 'improving diagnosis for patient safety' was selected in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders – from patients to policy-makers – to highlight how everyone has a vital role to play in reducing the risks and impact of errors in diagnosis. The right diagnosis, at the right time, is the basis of safe and effective health care.
By contrast, diagnostic errors can lead to serious harm, and even death. Reducing this risk takes collaboration between health workers and managers, policymakers and regulators, civil society and the private sector, and importantly, patients and their families." Dr.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General Each year, diagnostic errors account for an estimated 16% of preventable harm in health care, with tremendous human and economic consequences. Data suggest that most adults will experience at least one diagnostic error in their lifetime, which can result in prolonged ill health, increased health care costs, or even preventable death. Diagnostic error is when a diagnosis is delayed, incorrect, missed, or miscommunicated and can occur at any stage of a patient's journey.
Targeted interventions by policy-makers, health care leaders, health workers, medical product .