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Mike Mitka

JAMA. 2009;301(6):587-589.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

The introduction of information technology (IT) to health care ultimately promises to lower operating costs and improve quality and safety. But the implementation of that technology often means unfulfilled expectations and unanticipated consequences. These in turn can lead to higher costs as more technology is added to fix existing systems, poorer quality as clinicians get frustrated and work around the technology, and the potential for harming patients through overreliance or underreliance on the systems.

Removing identification bar codes from a patient's wrist to scan for verification of proper drug dispensation can introduce errors. (Photo credit: Jupiterimages Corporation)

On December 11, the Joint Commission issued a Sentinel Event Alert warning of these issues and suggesting ways to minimize problems (http://www.jointcommission.org/SentinelEvents/SentinelEventAlert/sea_42.htm). Peter Angood, MD, the Joint Commission's vice president and chief patient safety officer, said the organization issued the alert to help those who have been frustrated by . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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