The human-computer user interface and patient safety: Introducing new technologies in healthcare effectively and safely

Health information technology (HIT) promises to modernize healthcare, lead to efficiencies and to reduce medical error. However, the literature has shown that if HIT is not designed and tested properly, systems such as electronic health records (EHRs) and personal health records (PHRs) may actually inadvertently introduce new types of errors that are termed technology-induced errors. Such error may result from the complex interplay of health professional, patients and the HIT deployed in the healthcare system and currently they may not be easily detectable until systems are deployed. In order to deal with this, in this paper we describe a framework for detecting and rectifying technology-induced errors before they are propagated in the healthcare system and for implementing systems in a safe and effective manner. It is argued that in order to do this, it will require a layered approach to system design and testing involving application of usability testing methods along with application of clinical simulations. The paper describes a promising approach that involves multiple methods for ensuring system safety in healthcare.