Four New Organizations Commit to Improve Diagnostic Quality and Safety

Evanston, IL – (June 28, 2019) Four leading healthcare organizations, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), Sepsis Alliance, and UCSF Health have pledged to take action to improve diagnostic quality and safety by joining the Coalition to Improve Diagnosis, which already includes more than 50 of the most prominent organizations in health care and patient advocacy.

“Diagnostic error is one of the most important safety problems in health care today and causes the most patient harm,” said Paul L. Epner, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of the Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine (SIDM). “While many organizations have diagnostic quality on their radar, it generally is not seen as a top priority. Those who’ve joined the Coalition acknowledge that diagnostic quality and safety are vital to improving health care.”

Convened and led by SIDM, the Coalition to Improve Diagnosis is the only major confederation of diverse healthcare organizations singularly focused on improving the diagnostic process. Together, they work to find solutions that enhance diagnostic quality and safety, reduce harm and ultimately, ensure better health outcomes for patients.

Joining the Coalition, these new additions represent the medical education community, healthcare management, patient sector, as well as one of the largest health systems in the country—all committed to taking specific action to improve diagnostic quality and safety:

ACGME – “We recognize the current challenges in diagnostic error and are working to continually improve the training of future physicians in diagnostic reasoning,” said Eric Holmboe, MD, MACP, FRCP, Chief Research, Milestone Development, and Evaluation Officer at ACGME. “Diagnostic reasoning is a core focus of the Milestones initiative, and the organization was pleased to be part of SIDM’s recent work on creating competencies in diagnosis for individuals, teams and systems. We look forward to collaborating with SIDM and others in the ACT initiative to improve diagnosis for all patients.”

ACHE – “We’re honored to stand with our fellow Coalition members and support the improvement of diagnostic quality and safety in medicine,” said President and CEO Deborah J. Bowen, FACHE, CAE. “Engaging healthcare leadership is critical to improving diagnosis and fostering systemwide excellence—two goals the Coalition and the Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine have made their mission to achieve.”

Sepsis Alliance – “Every day, we hear from sepsis survivors who were misdiagnosed, or whose symptoms were ignored, which led to life-threatening results and long-term psychological and physical effects,” said Thomas Heymann, President and Executive Director of Sepsis Alliance. “We believe that with the combined efforts of the Coalition’s membership we can improve diagnosis and patient outcomes, not just for sepsis patients but for all.”

UCSF Health – “We know the importance of diagnostic accuracy and have led team-based efforts to reduce delay. Improving diagnosis, though, requires a team that extends beyond discipline or department—we need multi-institution teamwork,” said Katie Raffel, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at UCSF Health. “We feel that our participation in the Coalition to Improve Diagnosis will allow for shared learning across a diversity of sites and expertise.”

In September 2018, the Coalition launched ACT for Better Diagnosis™ by calling on organizations to identify and spread practical steps to better ensure diagnoses are Accurate, Communicated and Timely. The 50+ organizations now behind the effort represent clinicians, patients, health systems, researchers and testing professionals—all acknowledging that improvement will require sustained work over several years with all stakeholders involved.

ACT for Better Diagnosis is supported by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and The Mont Fund. Stay informed on the latest activities from members of the Coalition to Improve Diagnosis by signing up for regular updates at www.BetterDiagnosis.org. Coalition members encourage everyone to share what actions they are taking to improve diagnosis with #betterdiagnosis.

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About ACT for Better Diagnosis™
ACT for Better Diagnosis, an initiative of the Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine, includes many of the nation’s leading healthcare and patient organizations collaborating as part of the Coalition to Improve Diagnosis. Together, the groups are working to improve the diagnostic process, educating healthcare leaders, patients, and policymakers on the impact of missed or erroneous diagnoses and advocating for more research funding. The initiative is made possible with support from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and The Mont Fund. Visit www.BetterDiagnosis.org to learn more.

About the Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine (SIDM)
The Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine catalyzes and leads change to improve diagnosis and eliminate harm from diagnostic error. We work in partnership with patients, their families, the healthcare community and every interested stakeholder. SIDM is the only organization focused solely on the problem of diagnostic error and improving the accuracy and timeliness of diagnosis. In 2015 SIDM established the Coalition to Improve Diagnosis to increase awareness and actions that improve diagnosis. Members of the Coalition represent hundreds of thousands of healthcare providers and patients—and the leading health organizations and government agencies involved in patient care. Together, we work to find solutions that enhance diagnostic safety and quality, reduce harm, and ultimately, ensure better health outcomes for patients. Visit www.ImproveDiagnosis.org to learn more.