Delayed Diagnosis of Pulmonary Thromboembolism Due to Overfocus on COVID-19
  • Yukinori Harada
    Department of Diagnostic and Generalist Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University Hospital, Mibu, Tochigi, Japan
  • Taro Shimizu
    Department of Diagnostic and Generalist Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University Hospital, Mibu, Tochigi, Japan

Keywords

COVID-19, diagnostic errors, pandemic, pulmonary thromboembolism

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has made it difficult for physicians to follow their usual diagnostic processes. We present the case of a 25-year-old man with adjustment disorder who developed dyspnoea. He was concerned about COVID-19, but his test result was negative. After excluding COVID-19, the physician concluded that his symptoms were related to his psychiatric condition. However, the patient was diagnosed with pulmonary thromboembolism by another physician. To avoid missing a diagnosis, physicians must practice zero-based thinking, regardless of COVID-19 concerns, and not be distracted from the patient's core problems.

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    Published: 2020-10-21
    Issue: 2020: Vol 7 No 11 (view)


    How to cite:
    1.
    Harada Y, Shimizu T. Delayed Diagnosis of Pulmonary Thromboembolism Due to Overfocus on COVID-19. EJCRIM 2020;7 doi:10.12890/2020_002002.

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