Where do Technology-Induced Errors Come From? Towards a Model for Conceptualizing and Diagnosing Errors Caused by Technology

Abstract

Borycki, Elizabeth M.; Kushniruk, Andre W. Health information technology has the potential to greatly improve healthcare delivery. Indeed, in recent years many have argued that introduction of information technology will be essential in order to decrease medical error and increase healthcare safety. In this chapter we review some of the evidence that has accumulated indicating the positive benefits of health information technology for improving safety in healthcare. However, a number of recent studies have indicated that if systems are not designed and implemented properly health information technology may actual inadvertently result in new types of medical errors—technology-induced errors. In this chapter we discuss where such error may arise and propose a model for conceptualizing and diagnosing technology-induced error so that the benefits of technology can be achieved while the likelihood of the occurrence of technology-induced medical error is reduced.