Proposals Put Forward To Reduce Misdiagnosis

New draft guidance published on blood pressure testing must actively reduce the number of instances of misdiagnosis which occur every year, a medical law expert at Irwin Mitchell has demanded.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) has put forward proposals designed to improve the accuracy of testing in an effort to ensure patients get the treatment most suited to their needs.

Under the plans, those with measurements taken which are 140/90 mmHg or higher will need to undertake home monitoring so that a clearer picture of their blood pressure is provided.

It is hoped the move will reduce the number of under-40s misdiagnosed with blood pressure problems.

Mandy Luckman, a clinical negligence specialist at Irwin Mitchell’s Birmingham office, said: “Patient safety should always be a priority for the NHS and improvements in the accuracy of testing are also going to be a positive step towards that.

“It is concerning that misdiagnosis has been so common in relation to blood pressure monitoring. However, it is welcome to see changes being made that are expected to reduce this happening.

“Cutting errors of all kinds will undoubtedly help the NHS become more efficient and ensure that patients receive the best possible standards of care available.”