A Technologic Approach to Patient Safety

Combining modern technology with more efficient clinical workflow can enable hospitals to reduce medical errors and improve their function while lowering costs, according to a report entitled "A Technological Approach to Enhancing Patient Safety.” The report was prepared by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS, Chicago, IL, USA).

The report notes that preventable medical errors account for 12-15% of hospital costs. Adverse drug events (ADEs), the largest category of errors, can be immediately reduced if doctors use computerized order entry and administer only bar-coded medication. A summary of other recommendations follows.

Health plans need to provide doctors with information on the efficacy of various drugs at different disease stages. Hospital reference laboratories must supply results that help doctors interpret a medical test and select additional tests or treatment. Decision-support capabilities should be provided via hand-held or wireless devices, laptops, or desktop PCs. Orders and results need to be immediately available to the doctor and the entire healthcare team. Patients must be informed decision makers and active participants in their care.

The full report can be accessed at the HIMSS website (www.himss.org/content/files/whitepapers/patient_safety.pdf). With more than 12,000 individual members in healthcare organizations throughout the world, HIMSS provides leadership for the management of healthcare technology, information, and change.




Related Links:
Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society