The National Quality Forum has released a new report outlining guidance on safe use of health IT.
The report was created by a NQF panel of 22 health IT and patient safety experts. The committee highlighted these three high-level concepts for health IT users to consider when creating health IT patient safety measures:
• Safe health IT. Ensure health IT is accessible to all members of a care team, and ensure data are secure, accurate and complete.
• Using health IT safely. Ensure health IT features and functionality are effective and implemented as intended. Also put in place processes for safe use of health IT.
• Improving patient safety. Use health IT to reduce patient harm and improve patient care.
"With the rapid adoption of health IT across the continuum of care, we must consider the potential impact on patient safety to ensure that this critically important tool is a positive and transformational force for change," said Helen Burstin, MD, chief scientific officer of NQF.