Title: Medical treatment errors in hospitals: information technology-based concepts to limit their occurrence

Authors: Uta Herter

Addresses: University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany

Abstract: The everyday life of a modern hospital is characterised by overworked staff and an overly stressful daily routine. Furthermore, a multitude of separate departments have to be organised and optimised. In this difficult context, if processes are uncoordinated, not only the efficiency of the hospital, but also the quality of patient care is at risk. Possible solutions in the face of these problems can be improved attention to processes or employment of more innovative information technology concepts. The aim of this study is to examine more closely these possible solutions for treatment errors in hospitals. In particular, exemplary IT-based concepts for the reduction of medical treatment errors in hospitals are analysed. It was established that important benefits for a hospital can be gained from the opportunities identified, despite the challenges faced when implementing such innovative approaches.

Keywords: medical treatment; treatment errors; hospital errors; information technology; failure mode and effects analysis; FMEA; business intelligence; event controlled process chains; QlikView; radio frequency identification; RFID; electronic health records; EHRs; electronic healthcare; e-healthcare.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBET.2014.064822

International Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, 2014 Vol.15 No.4, pp.317 - 340

Received: 26 Oct 2013
Accepted: 31 Mar 2014
Published online: 21 Oct 2014 *

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