What is an unintended consequence of using electronic health systems?

What is an unintended consequence of using electronic health systems?

• A. Increased patient wait times
• B. Physician enters order for a patient incorrectly selected from a drop-down list
• C. Delayed communication among healthcare providers
• D. Higher costs for patient care

Answer: (B)

Using electronic health systems can lead to unintended consequences, and one of the significant issues is the possibility of a physician entering an order for a wrong patient when using a drop-down list. This can occur due to user error, especially when multiple patients may have similar names or when a physician is under time pressure. In electronic systems, physicians frequently select patients from pre-populated lists to reduce time and potential mistakes. However, if not careful, they may inadvertently choose the wrong patient, which can result in inappropriate treatment orders or medication being administered. This highlights the importance of implementing robust verification processes within electronic health record (EHR) systems to ensure accuracy and patient safety. The other options, while they may occur due to issues related to electronic health systems, do not directly pertain to the critical error of entering information for the wrong patient, which can have immediate and severe implications for patient care and safety.

Using electronic health systems can lead to unintended consequences, and one of the significant issues is the possibility of a physician entering an order for a wrong patient when using a drop-down list. This can occur due to user error, especially when multiple patients may have similar names or when a physician is under time pressure.

In electronic systems, physicians frequently select patients from pre-populated lists to reduce time and potential mistakes. However, if not careful, they may inadvertently choose the wrong patient, which can result in inappropriate treatment orders or medication being administered. This highlights the importance of implementing robust verification processes within electronic health record (EHR) systems to ensure accuracy and patient safety.

The other options, while they may occur due to issues related to electronic health systems, do not directly pertain to the critical error of entering information for the wrong patient, which can have immediate and severe implications for patient care and safety.