Acuity and Paper Records Lead to Errors
Information Systems Impact Error Reduction
Technology Helps Patients Play a Greater Role in Care
MEDITECH Presents to Order Entry Task Force
New IOM Report Cites Chasm in Quality
Contact us at info@meditech.com
Welcome!
Last year, the Institute of Medicine reported that up to 98,000 Americans per year die as a result of preventable medical errors-an incidence higher than the number of deaths caused by auto accidents,
breast cancer, and AIDS. Since the initial report was released, the topic of patient safety has not left the spotlight.
Awareness of medical errors has increased over the last few years, as many of our industry's publications have included articles highlighting patient safety concerns. CIO's everywhere are becoming aware that, in addition to the cost in human lives, medical errors are resulting in added expenses for their organizations. Meanwhile, government and business coalitions are calling for changes that may require providers to adhere to a set of standard quality requirements.
In this issue, we explore some of the typical causes of medical errors and how a health care information system assists with the delivery of safer patient care. Another article highlights the use of the Internet and push technology as a means of promoting patient safety. We also report on the new study just released by the Institute of Medicine, entitled "Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century."
Continuing along our theme of patient safety, we discuss our involvement in a recent Massachusetts Senate task force that focused on the topics of physician order entry and patient safety. And for fun, we give an overview and pictorial spread of our recent trip to HIMSS, our industry's largest trade show, in New Orleans.
We welcome your comments at info@meditech.com.
