Missed injuries in hospitalized trauma patients in the emergency department

Objective and hypothesis: Intensive emergency department bring along to medical errors with trauma care for unstabil patients. The aim of our study; determine the extent of missed injuries, causes, clinical adverse consequences in hospitalized patients with trauma in a Turkish Level 1 emergency department and provide recommendations to emergency service workers and supervisors to reduce them Methods: In the study; patients who are admitted to the emergency room with trauma, were examined by a emergency physician and if necessary by a consultant. Injuries that detected were recorded to case forms. Hospitalized patients were discharged from hospital when their treatment was completed. Their files have been reviewed and investigated new injuries that was different from recorded in the case form. Results: Total 515 trauma patients were included in our study. There were 20(3,9%) patients who have missed injury. 65% of missed diagnosis were about the musculoskeletal system. there were insufficient clinical evaluation 95% of the patients who have missed diagnosis and in 70% of missed diagnosed cases radiology reports were delayed or incorrect reporting. Conculuotion: We believe that missed diagnosis rate can be reduced in trauma patients with fast and reliable radiological support and the intervention of a multidisciplinary trauma team. Key words: Emergency department, missed diagnoses, trauma.