title: Progress in surgical emergency care: improvement in accuracy of diagnosis in a university hospital in France.
abstract: The accuracy of diagnosis in multiple trauma can be greatly improved by the use of standardized assessment routines and uniform documentation. In the three groups of patients reviewed, the diagnostic error rate decreased from 23 percent in 1979 to 1980 to 8 percent in 1981 to 1982, and decreased further to 7.6 percent in 1983 to 1984. Our latest results show that a margin of error still persists. We believe that standardization of assessment routines in the difficult area of emergency medical practice is in the patient's best interest.
mesh_terms: D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004630:Emergencies; D005602:France; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery