JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Research in the area of health technology safety has demonstrated that technology may both improve patient safety, and introduce new types of technology-induced errors. There is a need to develop a safety science literature to develop an evidence-based, research base on which to continually develop safe new technologies and improve the safety of others.

Objective:

The aim of this viewpoint paper is to argue for the need to advance the evidence-based research in health informatics so that new technologies are designed, developed and implemented for their safety prior to being used in healthcare.

Methods:

This viewpoint paper offers a historical perspective on the development of health informatics and the safety literature in the area of health technology. The author argues for the need to conduct safety studies of such technologies as used by health professionals and consumers to develop as an evidence-base in this area.

Results:

Ongoing research is necessary to improve the quality and safety of health technologies. Over the past several decades, we have seen health informatics emerge as a discipline, research examining the design, development and implementation of differing health technologies grow, and new challenges arise such as those associated with the quality and safety of technology use. Future research will need to focus on how we can continually extend the safety science in this area.

Conclusions:

There is a need to integrate evidence-based research into the design, development and implementation of health technologies to improve their safety and reduce technology-induced errors.