Patient Safety must be Central to the Design, Development and Rollout of Electronic Patient Record (EPR) Systems

An EPR system brings together different patient information in one place, making it easier to access for healthcare professionals. This information can include patients' own notes, test results, observations by a range of different clinicians and prescribed medications.

When safely implemented, EPR systems can help to support and improve care and treatment. However, in recent years there has been growing awareness of the significant patient safety risks also associated with their implementation and use. (1)

In a new report recently published, Patient Safety Learning makes the case that patient safety can, and must, be put firmly at the heart of the design, development and rollout of EPR systems. 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 identifies 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. We need more transparency in reporting and sharing knowledge, of both errors and examples of good practice.

"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."

About Patient Safety Learning

Patient Safety Learning is a charity and independent voice for improving patient safety. We harness the knowledge, enthusiasm and commitment of healthcare organisations, professionals and patients for system-wide change and the reduction of harm. We believe patient safety is not just another priority; it is a core purpose of health and social care. Patient safety should not be negotiable. Through our work we support safety improvement through policy, influencing and campaigning, and the development of ‘how to’ resources such as the hub, our free award-winning platform to share learning for patient safety, and our unique Patient Safety Standards and support tools.

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:

Most Popular Now

ChatGPT 4o Therapeutic Chatbot 'Ama…

One of the first randomized controlled trials assessing the effectiveness of a large language model (LLM) chatbot 'Amanda' for relationship support shows that a single session of chatbot therapy...

AI Tools Help Predict Severe Asthma Risk…

Mayo Clinic researchers have developed artificial intelligence (AI) tools that help identify which children with asthma face the highest risk of serious asthma exacerbation and acute respiratory infections. The study...

AI Distinguishes Glioblastoma from Look-…

A Harvard Medical School–led research team has developed an AI tool that can reliably tell apart two look-alike cancers found in the brain but with different origins, behaviors, and treatments. The...

AI Model Forecasts Disease Risk Decades …

Imagine a future where your medical history could help predict what health conditions you might face in the next two decades. Researchers have developed a generative AI model that uses...

Overcoming the AI Applicability Crisis a…

Opinion Article by Harry Lykostratis, Chief Executive, Open Medical. The government’s 10 Year Health Plan makes a lot of the potential of AI-software to support clinical decision making, improve productivity, and...

Smart Device Uses AI and Bioelectronics …

As a wound heals, it goes through several stages: clotting to stop bleeding, immune system response, scabbing, and scarring. A wearable device called "a-Heal," designed by engineers at the University...

AI Model Indicates Four out of Ten Breas…

A project at Lund University in Sweden has trained an AI model to identify breast cancer patients who could be spared from axillary surgery. The model analyses previously unutilised information...

Dartford and Gravesham Implements Clinis…

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust has taken a significant step towards a more digital future by rolling out electronic test ordering using Clinisys ICE. The trust deployed the order communications...