The impact of electronic records on patient safety: a qualitative study

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Research Article

Laura Sheard¹  John Wright¹  Paul Cairns²  Joy Adamson³  Ian Watt³  Arabella Clarke⁴ 

[1] Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Duckworth Lane, BD9 6RJ, Bradford, UK;Department of Computer Science, University of York, Yo10 5GH, York, UK;Department of Health Sciences, University of York, YO10 5DD, York, UK;York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of York, YO10 5DD, York, UK;

关键词: Qualitative;    Electronic records;    Patient safety;    NHS;    Maternity;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12911-016-0299-y

 received in 2016-02-26, accepted in 2016-05-29,  发布年份 2016

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundOur aim was to explore NHS staff perceptions and experiences of the impact on patient safety of introducing a maternity system.MethodsQualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 members of NHS staff who represented a variety of staff groups (doctors, midwives, health care assistants), staff grades (consultant and midwife grades) and wards within a maternity unit. Participants represented a single maternity unit at a NHS teaching hospital in the North of England. Interviews were conducted during the first 12 months of the system being implemented and were analysed thematically.ResultsParticipants perceived there to be an elevated risk to patient safety during the system’s implementation. The perceived risks were attributed to a range of social and technical factors. For example, poor system design and human error which resulted in an increased potential for missing information and inputting error.ConclusionsThe first 12 months of introducing the maternity system was perceived to and in some cases had already caused actual risk to patient safety. Trusts throughout the NHS are facing increasing pressure to become paperless and should be aware of the  potential adverse impacts on patient safety that can occur when introducing electronic systems. Given the potential for increased risk identified, recommendations for further research and for NHS trusts introducing electronic systems are proposed.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s). 2016