Acute Care Learning Laboratory-Reducing Threats to Diagnostic Fidelity in Critical Illness

Despite the recognition that diagnostic errors an delays are a major contributor to preventable deaths in the USA, little progress has been made to reduce mortality outcomes from this known killer. An effective strategy leading to meaningful reduction in diagnostic error and delay rates has not made its way into practice. This proposal is unique and novel and combines mixed-methods research approaches with systems engineering research approaches to understand the interplay of the multiple factors contributing to diagnostic error and delay. The knowledge gained from this holistic approach will then be used within the learning laboratory to inform the design, development, evaluation, and refinement of the solutions to diagnostic error and delay. "Control Tower" will be the staging ground for the in situ learning laboratory and will be built on top of a well-established clinical informatics infrastructure and hospital environment open to innovation and practice change.