Why does collaboration in diagnosis matter?
The Achieving Diagnostic Excellence through Prevention and Teamwork (ADEPT) collaborative has evaluated thousands of cases of diagnostic opportunity among hospitalized adult medical patients who experience rapid response, ICU escalation or death. We have discovered that nearly 24% of cases have some contribution from clinical assessment or decision-making.
We know that hospitalists work in rapidly evolving, high stress environments often without a team-based structure. We also know that collaboration among providers is more likely to lead to accurate diagnosis.
What is a Diagnostic Cross-Check?
The Diagnostic Cross-Check is a peer hospitalist second opinion structure to support diagnosis around the time of Rapid Response event. It is s an innovation at a part of the 14-hospital Achieving Diagnostic Excellence through Prevention and Teamwork collaborative.
It is a diagnostic huddle between the primary medical team and a peer diagnostician, typically a co-hospitalist member of ADEPT or of another service line. This cross-check is a verbal structured connection focused on working diagnosis, diagnostic next steps, and areas of uncertainty. The intention is to take a pause for critical thinking with the facilitation and fresh eyes of another clinician.
When can I expect to engage with the Diagnostic Cross-Check?
Our 14 hospital sites are piloting this structure in August and September to make it the best it can be. You can expect expanded Cross-Check at your site on October 6th. If you are a part of a Diagnostic Cross-Check, you may be asked via short survey to share your experience.
How can I learn more?
Thank you for expressing curiosity and perspective about the Diagnostic Cross-Check. Please email ADEPT.diagnosis@ucsf.edu to learn more. Your local contact for the Diagnostic Cross-Check can be found below:
- Abhishek Goyal, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
- Raymond Klein, Maine Medical Center
- Aveena Kochar, Mount Sinai Hospital
- David Goese, Northwestern Memorial Hospital
- Mary Fredrickson, HealthPartners, Regions Hospital
- Peter Barish, UCSF
- Rachel Weiss, University of Colorado
- Sandya Tagaram, University of Massachusetts Memorial Hospital
- Brian Hilliard, University of Minnesota
- Maya Narayanan, University of Washington Northwest Campus
- Ellen Barbouche, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Matthew Sweeney, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Radha Devi, Washington University St. Louis
- Katherine Brooks, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital


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