The Contribution of Diagnostic Errors to Maternal Morbidity and Mortality During and Immediately After Childbirth: State of the Science

Maternal morbidity and mortality continue to be major public health concerns. With a high-rate of preventability, changes in healthcare systems can reduce the prevalence of these cases. Although, many factors that contribute to diagnostic error in maternal health are unknown, there are feasible solutions, including simulation to both determine the causes of and reduce diagnostic error in maternal health. Awareness and foundational knowledge of diagnostic safety frameworks are required to support this shift in maternal health. More research is needed to identify related factors that contribute to diagnostic error and to determine solutions.