Diagnostic errors accounted for 20% of compensated patient injuries in Finland

Background The number of annually compensated patient injuries has varied between 2000 and 2500 in Finland. Injuries caused by delay in diagnostics have not been analysed in Finland before.

Methods We analysed all compensated injuries associated with delayed diagnosis from the 2-year-periods of 2007–2008, 2017–2018 and 2021–2022. The data was collected from the Patient Insurance Centre.

Results Delayed diagnosis as grounds for compensation accounted for 20% of all compensated patient injuries. There were 2550 cases in six years. The majority of these occurred in acute health care. Delayed diagnoses were found in acute disorders of brain in 151 and spinal canal in 116, cardiovascular diseases in 90, severe infection in 127, and appendicitis in 68 cases. Diagnostic errors were especially frequent in hand traumatology, with digital vascular or tendon injuries in 116, digital fractures in 115, and fractures of the distal antebrachium and wrist in 111 cases. Misdiagnosis in fractures of the upper femur were seen in 87, spinal injuries in 83, fractures of tibia in 66, ankle in 73, and fractures of the foot in 80 cases. Diagnostic delays in cancer were the major subgroup in elective medicine in all examined 2-year-periods, around 50 cases annually (total 326). Diagnostic delays were most common in breast, brain, lung, and colorectal tumours.

Conclusions Education should focus on developing proper examination skills and protocols in medical work, especially in fields where diagnostic errors are common. Analysis of patient injuries is justified to follow quality in clinical work.