Digital healthcare systems have made it easier for healthcare professionals to access patient information, manage appointments, and coordinate care. However, introducing new technology does not automatically make healthcare safer.
Poorly designed interfaces, disconnected systems, incomplete patient records, and confusing workflows can create risks for both patients and healthcare professionals.
Here are five areas worth considering when developing or implementing digital healthcare systems.
1. Make patient information easy to access
Healthcare professionals often need information from different systems to make informed decisions.
When patient records are fragmented or difficult to access, important details may be overlooked.
Improving interoperability between electronic patient record systems can help ensure that relevant information is available when needed.
2. Prioritise usability
A system might have advanced features but still create problems if healthcare professionals find it difficult to use.
Developers should involve doctors, nurses, administrative staff, and patients during design and testing.
Real-world usability testing can identify confusing workflows before they affect everyday care.
3. Avoid information overload
Too many notifications and alerts can make it difficult for staff to identify genuinely important information.
Digital systems should prioritise meaningful alerts and make critical information easy to recognise.
4. Include security and access controls
Patient information must be protected through appropriate access permissions, authentication, encryption, and audit trails.
Healthcare organisations should also establish clear procedures for responding to security incidents and system failures.
5. Monitor systems after implementation
Launching a digital healthcare platform should not be considered the end of the project.
Organisations should regularly review user feedback, technical problems, near misses, and incidents associated with digital workflows.
This helps identify risks that may not have been apparent during initial testing.
For additional context on healthcare technology development, HealthTech discusses digital healthcare platforms and related technology considerations.
Final thoughts
Technology should support healthcare professionals rather than create additional complexity.
The most effective digital healthcare systems are those designed around real clinical needs, tested with the people who use them, and continuously improved to reduce risks.
Discussion question: What do you think is the most overlooked patient safety risk when healthcare organisations introduce new digital systems: poor usability, incomplete patient information, lack of interoperability, or insufficient staff training?
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Digital healthcare systems have made it easier for healthcare professionals to access patient information, manage appointments, and coordinate care. However, introducing new technology does not automatically make healthcare safer.
Poorly designed interfaces, disconnected systems, incomplete patient records, and confusing workflows can create risks for both patients and healthcare professionals.
Here are five areas worth considering when developing or implementing digital healthcare systems.
1. Make patient information easy to access
Healthcare professionals often need information from different systems to make informed decisions.
When patient records are fragmented or difficult to access, important details may be overlooked.
Improving interoperability between electronic patient record systems can help ensure that relevant information is available when needed.
2. Prioritise usability
A system might have advanced features but still create problems if healthcare professionals find it difficult to use.
Developers should involve doctors, nurses, administrative staff, and patients during design and testing.
Real-world usability testing can identify confusing workflows before they affect everyday care.
3. Avoid information overload
Too many notifications and alerts can make it difficult for staff to identify genuinely important information.
Digital systems should prioritise meaningful alerts and make critical information easy to recognise.
4. Include security and access controls
Patient information must be protected through appropriate access permissions, authentication, encryption, and audit trails.
Healthcare organisations should also establish clear procedures for responding to security incidents and system failures.
5. Monitor systems after implementation
Launching a digital healthcare platform should not be considered the end of the project.
Organisations should regularly review user feedback, technical problems, near misses, and incidents associated with digital workflows.
This helps identify risks that may not have been apparent during initial testing.
Further reading
Patient Safety Learning has shared useful insights in its report on Electronic patient record systems: Putting patient safety at the heart of implementation.
For additional context on healthcare technology development, HealthTech discusses digital healthcare platforms and related technology considerations.
Final thoughts
Technology should support healthcare professionals rather than create additional complexity.
The most effective digital healthcare systems are those designed around real clinical needs, tested with the people who use them, and continuously improved to reduce risks.
Discussion question: What do you think is the most overlooked patient safety risk when healthcare organisations introduce new digital systems: poor usability, incomplete patient information, lack of interoperability, or insufficient staff training?