2027 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 22-24, 2027 • Bellevue, WA
3/17/2026 | 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM | When We Know Better and When We Don’t: Preventing Complicity in Diagnostic Errors in Pediatric Audiology | Clearwater
When We Know Better and When We Don’t: Preventing Complicity in Diagnostic Errors in Pediatric Audiology
In pediatric audiology, diagnostic accuracy forms the foundation of every clinical decision, yet it is vulnerable to both human and systemic error. In busy or fragmented healthcare environments, clinicians may unknowingly become complicit with diagnostic inaccuracies when incomplete, inconsistent, or outdated information is accepted without verification. This presentation examines how complicity can occur at both the individual and institutional levels, how it compromises patient outcomes, and what can be done to prevent it.
Complicity may be active, when clinicians recognize gaps but proceed because “that is how it has always been done,” or passive, when errors are hidden within institutional workflows and referral systems. Both forms result in the same consequence: children whose diagnosis and subsequent interventions are based on flawed data. These oversights can lead to inappropriate management, delayed intervention, and long-term developmental consequences.
Through case-based examples from pediatric audiology practice, this session will highlight how errors can originate in areas such as incomplete outside referrals, insufficient diagnostic batteries, lack of objective confirmation, and inconsistent interdepartmental communication. Participants will explore how these breakdowns perpetuate a culture of acceptance rather than accountability.
Practical solutions will be emphasized, including the creation of standardized diagnostic checklists, structured second-provider verification prior to intervention, and strengthened interdisciplinary communication channels. Attention will also be given to institutional responsibility in ensuring clinicians have the time, tools, and authority to uphold diagnostic integrity.
By confronting how clinicians become both aware and unaware participants in flawed systems, this presentation encourages a culture of reflection, transparency, and proactive correction. The goal is to ensure that every child’s hearing diagnosis is based on accurate, complete, and verifiable data, establishing a higher standard of safety and care in pediatric audiology.
- Participants will be able to identify both individual and systemic factors that contribute to clinician complicity in diagnostic errors within pediatric audiology.
- Participants will be able to describe specific safeguards, such as standardized diagnostic protocols and verification procedures, that ensure accurate and complete test batteries before intervention.
- Participants will be able to apply strategies for fostering a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous quality improvement to prevent diagnostic errors and improve patient outcomes.
Presentation:
View Presentation File
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Chrisanda Sanchez
(Primary Presenter), University of Miami Department of Otolaryngology, cmsanchez@med.miami.edu;
Dr. Chrisanda Sanchez is a bilingual pediatric audiologist at the University of Miami. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology and the Director of the Children’s Hearing Program at the University of Miami. Dr. Sanchez’s clinical career has centered around pediatrics, specializing in pediatric cochlear implants, hearing aids, and other implantable devices. Her research focuses on improving access to hearing healthcare for Spanish speaking patients and implantable devices, specifically targeting pediatric device implantation and outcomes.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from University of Miami.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with University of Miami.
Nature: Employed by UM.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.