A Socio-Technical and Lean Approach Towards a Framework for Health Information Systems-Induced Error

The evaluation of Health Information Systems (HIS)-induced medication errors is crucial in efforts to understand its cause, impact and mitigation measures when trying to minimize errors and increase patient safety. A review of evaluation studies on HIS-induced medication errors was carried out, which indicated the need to further structure complex socio technical aspects of the subject. In order to satisfy this requirement, a new framework was introduced for the evaluation of HIS-induced error management in clinical settings. The proposed HO(P)T-fit framework (Human, Organization, Process and Technology-fit) was developed after critically appraising existing findings in HIS related evaluation studies. It also builds on previous models related to HIS evaluation, in particular, the HOT-fit (Human, Organization, Process and Technology-fit) framework, error model, business process management, Lean method, and medication workflow. HOPT-fit incorporates the concept of fit between the four factors. The framework has the potential to be used as a tool to conduct a structured, systematic, and comprehensive HIS evaluation.