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Electronic medical records have meant convenience to medical professionals, but research shows that they might be endangering patient safety. In a story at aboutlawsuits.com, experts hoped electronic and digital medical records would reduce medical and prescription errors. However, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found that electronic medical software could be at the root of serious medical mistakes.
According to the IOM, some of the poorly written medical software actually puts patients at risk. The software can lose data and fail to detect serious illnesses. In addition, there is no performance standard for the software and very little information exists on the software’s effectiveness. So great is the concern, that the IOM wants federal regulators involved in the issue.
A spokesperson for the IOM wants the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to come up with a plan to reduce the risks associated with medical software. If the agency cannot create a plan, said the spokesperson, the Food and Drug Administration should oversee medical software performance.
Earlier this year, researchers at Johns Hopkins found no link between electronic software and improved patient care.
Do you know how reliant your physician is on electronic medical records? Give our team a call for more information.
Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis L.L.P.
Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia Injury Attorneys
Approved by attorney Paulette Chapman