Puppets on a String?
Posted by Sean on January 15, 2009
Veterans given wrong drug doses due to glitch – Health care- msnbc.com
So there is yet another article that re-emphasizes my stance on the so-called automatic-reflexive-subconscious state of the world today.
It seems that a software (computer) glitch was the source of patient delivered care at numerous VA health care facilities recently. An error that lasted months. And the facility kept it a secret from everyone, including the patients!
Luckily there is no evidence of patient harm.
NOW.. there is more resistance to the EMR, arguing it’s lack of safety. Claiming it needs more stringent fail safe measures, safety concerns, etc.
It’s a disturbing article on many levels for anyone and everyone, especially those of us delivering health care services.
But, the software is not to blame. The software did not administer the medication. Nor did the software decide to start or stop a treatment.
In the end, it’s always a human error. Throughout the timeline and timeframe of health care, professional responsibility and patient advocacy should always be exercised. Software safety checks, verification of medication, stringent plan of care review are all done as a part of this exercise.
The last time I checked, software and the computer running said material is only as good as the human using it.
Carpe Diem
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