The Institute of Medicine in November issued a new report, “Patient Safety and Health IT (HIT): Building Safer Systems for Better Care,” which identifies potential harm that could stem from a digital healthcare system and proposes 10 recommendations. Many of the suggestions are directed at the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, urging the office to work with the private sector and research groups on patient safety, ensure the free exchange of information on healthcare information technology (HIT) issues, and create a process for reporting HIT-related deaths and injuries.
“Concerns about potential harm are emerging as providers increasingly rely on electronic medical records, secure patient portals, and other technologies to deliver care,” the report states, but there is a lack of published research quantifying the risks. For more on the HIT report, check out the Policy Corner.
