Ann F. Cook, PhD, Helena Hoas, PhD, Katarina Guttmanova, MA
“Not by Technology Alone…Project Seeks to Assess and Aid Patient Safety in Rural Areas”,
Biomedical Instrumentation & Technology, March/April 2003
The publication of the Institute of Medicine report, To Err is Human, heightens the need for concerted efforts to improve patient safety. While the development of appropriate technology is a critical intervention, technology alone cannot ensure higher levels of safety. This article discusses findings from nine studies conducted in rural communities in a 14-state area, as well as data from an ongoing patient safety research effort. Findings suggest that information technology must be part of a system-wide approach that incorporates the context of care and accommodates factors including staffing patterns, workplace communication, and the overall availability of resources and training