Evaluating Unintended Consequences in Health Information Systems

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Sociotechnical Systems Analysis
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Health information systems (HIS) are increasingly complex.
• Sociotechnical interactions within HIS can lead to unintended consequences (UC).
• Understanding the root causes of UC is crucial for improving patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the interactions within HIS that lead to UC.
• To identify the contributing factors of UC in healthcare settings.
• To provide a foundation for mitigating UC in HIS implementation.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of HIS-related incidents.
• Analysis of sociotechnical system theories.
• Case study examination of UC in healthcare.

Main Results:

• Identified common interaction patterns leading to UC.
• Highlighted key contributing factors such as system design, user training, and organizational culture.
• Demonstrated the link between specific HIS features and UC.

Conclusions:

• Sociotechnical interactions are a primary driver of UC in HIS.
• Addressing contributing factors through system design and user support can reduce UC.
• Further research is needed to develop proactive strategies for UC prevention.