Technology and Patient Safety: A Cause and Solution to Complexity

Patient safety remains on the forefront of healthcare internationally. The health system in the USA is complex and poses risks to patient outcomes. Technology embedded in the health system can address known weaknesses. This chapter presents a history of technology in the health system and the issues that scientists and providers are currently navigating while caring for patients. In addition, we present recommendations for harnessing technology and managing the complexity of both the health system and the technology system. We propose exploring the issues of end user interface issues and the volume of data entry for nurses. We also suggest a shift in the paradigm from technology system to communication system to go from data entry to sender, messages, and receiver. Advances in artificial intelligence can also advance healthcare through precision models and algorithms. Robots may also assist to reduce the burdensome tasks to allow for added patient care. It has been decades since the HITECH Act paved the way for more advanced technology in healthcare.