Patient Safety Learning, a London-based charity, has called for patient safety to be central to the design, development, and rollout of electronic patient record (EPR) systems.
EPR systems are designed to bring together different patient information in one place, making it easier to access for healthcare professionals.
Information can include patients’ own notes, test results, observations by different clinicians and prescribed medications.
EPR systems have significant potential to improve patient care and treatment
When safely implemented, EPR systems can help to support and improve care and treatment, said Patient Safety Learning. [1]
However, the charity warns of significant patient safety risks associated with their implementation and use.
In a new report, recently published, Patient Safety Learning made the case that patient safety must be put firmly at the heart of the design, development and rollout of EPR systems.
We are increasingly seeing cases where poor implementation of these new systems results in direct and indirect harm to patients
Drawing on examples from the NHS and the findings of an expert roundtable, the report sets out the key patient safety risks associated with choosing and introducing new EPR systems.
It identified ten principles to consider for safer EPR system implementation.
Commenting on the report, Patient Safety Learning chief executive Helen Hughes said: “EPR systems have significant potential to improve patient care and treatment. However, we are increasingly seeing cases where poor implementation of these new systems results in direct and indirect harm to patients. If we are to fully realise their benefits, patient safety must be at the heart of their design, development and rollout.”
To ensure the safety of EPR systems, it is vital that patient safety incidents associated with them are reported and acted upon
“To ensure the safety of EPR systems, it is vital that patient safety incidents associated with them are reported and acted upon. We need more transparency in reporting and sharing knowledge, of both errors and examples of good practice,” Hughes added.
“We hope that this report can kick off an informed and transparent debate about these issues, leading to action that supports the safer implementation of EPR systems and reduces avoidable harm,” Hughes concluded.
References
1. The report draws on a number of sources to evidence that there are significant challenges in the
safe implementation of EPRs, including the following recent events:
- Health Service Journal, Patient died and 30 harmed after new IT system launch, 11 October
2023. - BBC News, Hospital IT system warning after ‘preventable’ death, 26 February 2024.
