Clarke, Arabella orcid.org/0000-0003-3518-2740, Adamson, Joy orcid.org/0000-0002-9860-0850, Watt, Ian orcid.org/0000-0002-3147-8299 et al. (3 more authors) (2016) The impact of electronic records on patient safety:a qualitative study. BMC medical informatics and decision making. 62. ISSN 1472-6947
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Our aim was to explore NHS staff perceptions and experiences of the impact on patient safety of introducing a maternity system. METHODS: Qualitative 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. RESULTS: Participants 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. CONCLUSIONS: The 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.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2016 The Author(s). |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Health Sciences (York) The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Computer Science (York) |
Depositing User: | Pure (York) |
Date Deposited: | 13 Jun 2016 13:07 |
Last Modified: | 16 Oct 2024 13:05 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-016-0299-y |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1186/s12911-016-0299-y |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:100846 |