Integrating and safeguarding care: The potential role of health information technologies

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 112-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Desmedt ◽  
Sam Pless ◽  
Ezra Dessers ◽  
Dominique Vandijck
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Patient Safety ◽  
Integrated Care ◽  
Health Information Technology ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Technologies ◽  
Improve Patient Safety ◽  
Chronic Patients ◽  
Health And Social Care

The increasing burden of chronic diseases is one of the greatest challenges healthcare systems globally are facing. Across the world, compelling demands can be found for a fundamental shift in the organisation of health and social care to meet the needs of chronic patients. Integrated care has gathered momentum to overcome fragmentation of care in order to create care systems which are demand-driven, client-centred and cost-conscious. Health information technology – often referred to as eHealth – is usually considered to be an essential building brick of integrated care. Moreover, health information technology is said to hold potential for improving patient safety in chronic care settings. The current perspective paper explores the role of health information technology in integrating and safeguarding care. We argue that health information technology – which supports integrated care – may create optimal conditions to improve patient safety, but only when well-implemented, state-of-the-art technologies are used.

The role of health information technology in promoting patient safety

2020 ◽  
pp. 13-24
Author(s):  
E. B. Kleymenov ◽  
◽  
L. P. Yashina ◽  
◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Patient Safety ◽  
Health Information Technology ◽  
Health Information

scholarly journals Development of a Taxonomy for Medication-Related Patient Safety Events Related to Health Information Technology in Pediatrics

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (05) ◽  
pp. 714-724
Author(s):  
Kirk D. Wyatt ◽  
Tyler J. Benning ◽  
Timothy I. Morgenthaler ◽  
Grace M. Arteaga
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Patient Safety ◽  
Health Information Technology ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Improve Patient Safety ◽  
Help Desk ◽  
Safety Improvement ◽  
Safety Event ◽  
Improve Patient ◽  
Medication Related Events

Abstract Background Although electronic health records (EHRs) are designed to improve patient safety, they have been associated with serious patient harm. An agreed-upon and standard taxonomy for classifying health information technology (HIT) related patient safety events does not exist. Objectives We aimed to develop and evaluate a taxonomy for medication-related patient safety events associated with HIT and validate it using a set of events involving pediatric patients. Methods We performed a literature search to identify existing classifications for HIT-related safety events, which were assessed using real-world pediatric medication-related patient safety events extracted from two sources: patient safety event reporting system (ERS) reports and information technology help desk (HD) tickets. A team of clinical and patient safety experts used iterative tests of change and consensus building to converge on a single taxonomy. The final devised taxonomy was applied to pediatric medication-related events assess its characteristics, including interrater reliability and agreement. Results Literature review identified four existing classifications for HIT-related patient safety events, and one was iteratively adapted to converge on a singular taxonomy. Safety events relating to usability accounted for a greater proportion of ERS reports, compared with HD tickets (37 vs. 20%, p = 0.022). Conversely, events pertaining to incorrect configuration accounted for a greater proportion of HD tickets, compared with ERS reports (63 vs. 8%, p < 0.01). Interrater agreement (%) and reliability (kappa) were 87.8% and 0.688 for ERS reports and 73.6% and 0.556 for HD tickets, respectively. Discussion A standardized taxonomy for medication-related patient safety events related to HIT is presented. The taxonomy was validated using pediatric events. Further evaluation can assess whether the taxonomy is suitable for nonmedication-related events and those occurring in other patient populations. Conclusion Wider application of standardized taxonomies will allow for peer benchmarking and facilitate collaborative interinstitutional patient safety improvement efforts.

scholarly journals Identifying Safety Hazards Associated With Intravenous Vancomycin Through the Analysis of Patient Safety Event Reports

2020 ◽  
pp. 31-47
Author(s):  
Adam Krukas ◽  
Ella Franklin ◽  
Chris Bonk ◽  
Jessica Howe ◽  
Ram Dixit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Patient Safety ◽  
Health Information Technology ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Improve Patient Safety ◽  
Close Monitoring ◽  
Safety Hazards ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Safety Event

Intravenous (IV) vancomycin is one of the most commonly used antibiotics in U.S. hospitals. There are several complexities associated with IV vancomycin use, including the need to have an accurate patient weight for dosing, to provide close monitoring to ensure appropriate drug levels, to monitor renal function, and to continue delivery of the medication at prescribed intervals. There are numerous healthcare system factors, including workflow processes, policies, health information technology, and clinical knowledge that impact the safe use of IV vancomycin. Past literature has identified several safety hazards associated with IV vancomycin use and there are some proposed solutions. Despite this literature, IV vancomycin–related safety issues persist. We analyzed patient safety event reports describing IV vancomycin–related issues in order to identify where in the medication process these issues were appearing, the type of medication error associated with each report, and general contributing factor themes. Our results demonstrate that recent safety reports are aligned with the issues already identified in the literature, suggesting that improvements discussed in the literature have not translated to clinical practice. Based on our analysis and current literature, we have developed a shareable infographic to improve clinician awareness of the complications and safety hazards associated with IV vancomycin and a self-assessment tool to support identification of opportunities to improve patient safety during IV vancomycin therapy. We also recommend development of clear guidelines to optimize health information technology systems to better support safe IV vancomycin use.

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