To ensure patient safety in health IT, clinical software needs a new oversight framework, according to a report by the Bipartisan Policy Center.
The report, "An Oversight Framework for Assuring Patient Safety in Health Information Technology," includes principles and recommendations for an oversight framework that would protect patients' safety in HIT. The recommendations were developed by BPC through its Health Innovation Initiative in partnership with various experts and stakeholders.
Here are the five principles to guide a regulatory framework for HIT from the report:
1. Any oversight framework for safety should recognize and support the important role
that health IT plays in improving the quality, safety and cost-effectiveness of care,
as well as the patient's experience of care.
2. Assuring patient safety, along with enabling positive patient outcomes, is a shared
responsibility that must involve the entire healthcare system.
3. Any framework for patient safety in health IT should be risk-based, flexible and not
stifle innovation.
4. Existing safety and quality-related processes, systems and standards should be
leveraged for patient safety in health IT.
5. Reporting of patient safety events related to health IT is essential; a non-punitive
environment should be established to encourage reporting, learning and
improvement.
BPC also suggested an oversight framework include the following four elements:
1. Agreement on and adherence to recognized standards and guidelines for assuring
patient safety in the development, implementation and use of health IT.
2. Support for the implementation of standards and guidelines as well as development
and dissemination of best practices through education, training and technical
assistance.
3. Developer, implementer and user participation in patient safety activities, including
reporting, analysis and response, while leveraging patient safety organizations.
4. Creation of a learning environment through the aggregation and analysis of data to
identify and monitor trends, mitigate future risk and facilitate learning and
improvement.
AHRQ Projects Show HIT Can Facilitate Patient-Centered Care
AHA Comments on ONC's Health IT Patient Safety Action Plan
The report, "An Oversight Framework for Assuring Patient Safety in Health Information Technology," includes principles and recommendations for an oversight framework that would protect patients' safety in HIT. The recommendations were developed by BPC through its Health Innovation Initiative in partnership with various experts and stakeholders.
Here are the five principles to guide a regulatory framework for HIT from the report:
1. Any oversight framework for safety should recognize and support the important role
that health IT plays in improving the quality, safety and cost-effectiveness of care,
as well as the patient's experience of care.
2. Assuring patient safety, along with enabling positive patient outcomes, is a shared
responsibility that must involve the entire healthcare system.
3. Any framework for patient safety in health IT should be risk-based, flexible and not
stifle innovation.
4. Existing safety and quality-related processes, systems and standards should be
leveraged for patient safety in health IT.
5. Reporting of patient safety events related to health IT is essential; a non-punitive
environment should be established to encourage reporting, learning and
improvement.
BPC also suggested an oversight framework include the following four elements:
1. Agreement on and adherence to recognized standards and guidelines for assuring
patient safety in the development, implementation and use of health IT.
2. Support for the implementation of standards and guidelines as well as development
and dissemination of best practices through education, training and technical
assistance.
3. Developer, implementer and user participation in patient safety activities, including
reporting, analysis and response, while leveraging patient safety organizations.
4. Creation of a learning environment through the aggregation and analysis of data to
identify and monitor trends, mitigate future risk and facilitate learning and
improvement.
More Articles on HIT and Patient Safety:
ONC Presents "3 A's" Strategy to Engage Patients With Health ITAHRQ Projects Show HIT Can Facilitate Patient-Centered Care
AHA Comments on ONC's Health IT Patient Safety Action Plan