This editorial suggests computer software to help the misdiagnosis rate:

Diagnostic software can help doctors research the interconnections between symptoms and diseases, avoiding one of the biggest contributors to misdiagnosis — a failure to consider every condition that might be causing a particular set of symptoms. A unique software system manufactured by Isabel Healthcare receives high marks from doctors across the country testing it, because it helps doctors consider diagnoses outside their own specialties and match symptoms to less-common ailments. Compared with the cost of one medical-malpractice lawsuit, such software (Isabel costs about $80,000 for an average-sized hospital) looks relatively inexpensive — a fact not lost on some of the nation’s biggest hospitals, and one that shouldn’t be lost on malpractice insurers and patients looking for the best care.

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Tagged as: hospital, malpractice, patient