A Systematic Review of Healthcare Information Technology Anomaly Classification

Laura Pullum, Olufemi A. Omitaomu, Mohammed M. Olama, Addi Thakur Malviya, Ozgur Ozmer, Hilda B. Klasky, P. Teja Kuruganti, Merry Ward, Jeanie M. Scott, Angela Laurio, Brian C. Sauer, Frank Drews, Jonathan R. Nebeker

Abstract: Health information technology (HIT) was introduced to streamline administrative medical processes and alleviate errors that may negatively affect patient health. It has helped to some extent in this manner; however, studies have shown that the use of HIT has introduced unexpected new errors in the collection, transmission, use, and processing of electronic health records, as well as potential programming or configuration errors in these HIT systems. This study was initiated to identify HIT anomalies and, from this, potential hazards that may threaten patient safety. The results can be used to identify and prioritize hazard classes, and to assist in the design and implementation of HIT hazard controls and detectors.