Adrian Stavert-Dobson
Safehand Consulting Limited, UK
Title: Maintaining patient safety in the design and implementation of health IT information systems
Biography
Biography: Adrian Stavert-Dobson
Abstract
The use of technology to influence clinical decision making is growing rapidly. The need to improve patient safety is frequently cited as a key driver in the business cases of those procuring new health IT systems. Whilst research has shown that technology can reduce clinical risk it is becoming increasingly apparent that health IT systems introduce hazards of their own. When systems are suboptimally designed or implemented in a vacuum of clinical input, a worrying scenario can result. The UK is leading the world by introducing the first mandatory national standards that require suppliers and healthcare organizations to proactively manage clinical risk in health IT systems before they go live. Conforming to the standards not only protect patients, but also drives product quality, engages clinicians, facilitates project success and reduces the risk of litigation. But complying is a challenge-clinicians are expected to construct complex documentation more commonly formulated by experienced safety engineers. In this presentation the speaker will outline the requirements of the UK standards, the benefits of complying and the challenges they present to suppliers and healthcare organisations in the UK.