Sentinel Event Alert #42

The Joint Commission’s Alert urges greater attention to understanding when a technology may (or may not) be applicable, choosing the right technology, understanding the impact technology can have on the quality and safety of patient care, and attempting to quickly fix technology when it becomes counterproductive. The Alert makes clear that the overall safety and effectiveness of technology in health care ultimately depends on its human users, and that any form of technology can have a negative impact on the quality and safety of care if it is designed or implemented improperly or is misinterpreted.

Joint Commission Resources has the following tools to help educate your organization on this very important topic.

Using Technology to Improve Medication Safety
This book discusses the implementation and integration of technological solutions that provide staff with ways to improve communication and, in turn, improve medication safety.

This book discusses how pharmacists can improve patient safety by implementing technology that helps prevent errors.

Learn how nurses can use technology to improve patient safety and prevent errors.

Learn how Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, Illinois implemented hand-off communication technology to manage hand-offs hospital-wide.

Use of Technology for Medication Safety
Learn how improved technology can reduce the risk of medication error and help health care organizations continue to meet the highest standards for quality and patient safety.

This program emphasizes the importance of timely and effective communication, The Joint Commission's expectations related to communication and technology, and the planning and development it takes to use communication technologies appropriately.   Available as a DVD and online.