Legal implications of computerized patient care. How to reduce the risk of liability for computer-related patient...

As the computerization of patient care becomes more widespread, hospitals are likely to experience increasing liability for computer-related patient injuries. With physicians' exclusive responsibility for the quality of care giving way to one that, for inpatients, is shared with the hospital, this increased computerization complicates the determination of liability for patient injuries. However, potential liability can be minimized if hospitals control the use of new computerized equipment, such as through the privileging process, manager equipment wisely, and train personnel in its proper use.