Electronic Health Records and the Dangerous Problem of “Alert Fatigue”

The vast majority of medical practices and hospitals have incorporated a system of electronic health records into their healthcare processes. These systems have become essential in our modern healthcare environment. However, there are potential problems within the system that can lead to medical malpractice.

The problem of alert saturation

Whenever new technology is implemented for the first time, it is not uncommon for problems that crop up that require adjustments by the user. Many times this includes customizing the technology in its responses to best serve the user’s interests. A particular problem faced by EHR users is referred to as “alert fatigue.” This occurs when medical personnel are continuously subjected to alert pop-ups as they work the electronic medical records system.

Theoretically, the more alerts a medical provider receives about a patient or particular treatment, the better care they can provide the patient. However, these alerts can work against this theory and result in negative consequences for patients if the technology is not adjusted and customized properly. An excessive amount of alerts, many of which are already known by the medical provider, can lead to alert fatigue.

When medical personnel are saturated with these pop-up messages, they may remove some of their focus from the patient and toward eliminating the nuisance of the unnecessary pop-ups. This can also lead to a situation where an important alert is missed by the healthcare provider, leading to potentially dangerous results for the patient.

Generally, less is more when it comes to EHR alerts. A gradual and balanced implementation of new alerts is best at the outset. Testing of the alert system on the backend is very important to ensure they are firing with the correct information and at only the necessary times.

Many times, these alerts go off due to particular drug interactions recognized by the system. When this situation occurs, many medical providers are compelled to stop and shut off the alert. It is estimated that about two-thirds of all alerts are either overridden or previously disabled by the user. This potential overreaction by the user can lead to problems when an important alert is passed over that may have helped avoid a critical medical error. One of the major complaints among EHR users is alert fatigue. Other issues include integration problems, the inability to coordinate with other EHR systems, and the outdated, cumbersome operation of the technology.

Customizing alert patterns for the user and patient

Optimum Healthcare IT, using a team of EH our experts, recently studied the results of medical alerts over a period of a few months involving a particular client. The results they discovered raise cause for concern. Due to how the EHR settings were calibrated, the average medical clinician using the EHR software was subjected to 49 alerts for every 100 medications they ordered. This equates to a pop-up alert of every other time an order was initiated. Subsequently, the alert patterns were adjusted and the team was able to reduce the rate down to 27 alerts for every 100 orders – a significant reduction.

The above example helps demonstrate that many alerts within EHR systems are important, such as those warning of an incorrectly prescribed dosage of medication. However, many alerts may also warn of issues already known by the clinician. Software, such as AlertSpace can be implemented within the system to give the user customizable options to enable, disable, and adjust the frequency of alerts. With the program, alerts can be tracked over time and reports generated for review in order to perform quality control and enhance efficiency.

Alert fatigue, while having a potential serious consequence for the health of patients, can also impact the outcome of a medical malpractice lawsuit. The evidence used in one of these lawsuits may be found largely within EHR documentation. When using these systems, it’s important for medical providers to customize the settings properly, address system deficiencies, and encourage feedback from clinicians to help avoid a medical error that could lead to a malpractice case.

At Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A., we have more than three decades of experience serving clients throughout Maryland, standing up for their rights in the aftermath of a medical malpractice injury. We are here to help you recover the compensation you are owed for your injuries as well. To arrange a free consultation with a compassionate Maryland malpractice attorney from our team, call us today at 410-730-7737 or simply complete our contact form.