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| *PR: New Alert Discusses Safe Use of Health Information Technology (PDF/QV) [REF: AOM, IM/IT, LDR, PI, 2015] Perspectives, May 2015, Vol 35, #5, Pg 1 JCp1505_B1 Although only 120 (3.6%) of 3375 reported sentinel events over the last 3 years were attributable to IT factors, Sentinel Event Alert 54: Safe use of health information technology was issued on March 31, 2015. It is assumed that this issue will grow in magnitude with the spread and growth of healthcare technology such as electronic health records (EHR). This SEA is essentially a continuation of SEA #42 (Safely implementing health information and converging technologies) from 2008. However, this installment focuses on what are called ‘socio-technical factors having an impact on IT safety’ The 120 events were categorized into 8 such factors (i.e., Human-computer interface, Workflow and communication, Clinical content, Internal P&P, People, Hardware/Software, External Factors. System measurement/monitoring). The actions suggested in the SEA to reduce the risk of IT-related safety events are grouped into 3 areas: A – Safety Culture/3 actions, B- Process Improvement/18 actions and C – Leadership/6 actions. The similarity to TJC’s critical factors for developing high reliability (i.e., Leadership, Culture of Safety and Robust Process improvement) should not be missed. The article also contains a side bar grid listing TJC requirements related to IT safety that include 3 HR standards, 3 IM standards, 4 Leadership standards and 3 medication management standards. A number of references to include a free 1 CE course and [Pearl] SAFER Guides with self-assessment checklists are also provided. Tip: If any aspect of your organization’s medical record has been or is expected to be computerized, the full list of 24 suggested actions should be reviewed and formal determination made about which (if any) you should implement. Tip: Leadership should be prepared for the possibility of these determinations being a topic of discussion during a survey leadership interview related to High Reliability. Tip: LDRS and IT should preview the 6-minute introductory video clip on SAFER Guides for EHRs. See also: Comments Section of this review for more details. |
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SAFER guides: Safety Assurance Factors for EHR Resilience
The SAFER Guides are self-assessment booklets designed to help healthcare organizations optimize the safety and safe use of electronic health records (EHRs). Each begins with a checklist that can be used by a multidisciplinary team for assessing their organization’s level of implementation of each recommended practice.
There are nine guides in all:
High Priority Practices
Organizational Responsibilities
Contingency Planning
System Configuration
System Interfaces
Patient Identification
CPOE with Decision Support
Test Results Reporting and Follow-up
Clinician Communication