黑料网吃瓜爆料

A new study led by researchers at 黑料网吃瓜爆料 has found that digital technologies used in GP practices can significantly improve patient safety by reducing medication errors, supporting earlier diagnosis and helping prevent patient harm.

The research, and funded by the NIHR Patient Safety Research Collaboration (PSRC): Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料, is the largest review of its kind and analysed evidence from 74 clinical trials conducted over 23 years.

The review found that digital patient safety tools in primary care can be beneficial - particularly when they combine multiple features, such as automated prescribing or missed test reports for doctors alongside digital communication tools for patients.

According to the findings, digital interventions currently being used in clinics:

• improved medication safety by 46% when compared to usual care, reducing high-risk prescribing and dosing errors
• improved non-medication safety processes by 77% when compared to usual care, including faster diagnostic checks and more timely laboratory monitoring
• reduced physical patient harm and adverse events by 17% when compared to usual care, helping to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions, asthma attacks and serious adverse drug reactions

The study highlights several specific digital technologies that were shown to enhance patient safety, improve communication and treatment decisions, and reduce diagnostic delays.

One of the digital tools highlighted is the UK-developed PINCER programme, which uses electronic health records to help GPs and pharmacists identify and prevent incorrect prescribing. The programme showed that digital systems can improve safety at scale while supporting better use of NHS resources.

The success of PINCER has also inspired new digital innovations, such as the , develoved through a partnership between researchers from the NIHR PSRC: Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料, NHS partners and industry. SMASH is a digital medication safety tool that helps clinicians identify and address medication risks more quickly and consistently. Early evaluation in Salford, for example, covering more than 235,000 patients across 43 GP practices, showed a 40% reduction in hazardous prescribing within 12 months.

By embedding evidence-based safety indicators into routine clinical practice, SMASH helps clinicians identify and address medication risks more quickly and consistently. Early evaluation in Salford, for example, covering more than 235,000 patients across 43 GP practices, showed a 40% reduction in hazardous prescribing within 12 months.

The systems that work best

Researchers found that the greatest improvements came from integrated systems that combined multiple features, such as clinical decision support tools, patient communication systems and audit and feedback mechanisms.

For example, where Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) - which prompt GPs with real-time alerts about drug interactions or missing tests - were paired with Audit and Feedback (A&F) systems, which allow clinics to regularly review their safety data.

In addition, tools that featured patient-facing elements - such as automated text reminders or patient portals - had a positive impact on non-medication safety, making patients nearly 3 times more likely to receive timely investigations and follow-up care.

However, the review found that technology alone is not enough. More than 40% of the studies reported implementation barriers, including alert fatigue - where clinicians are overwhelmed by excessive computer pop-ups - and software that disrupted busy GP consultations. The most successful interventions were those that fitted naturally into existing clinical workflows and were supported by training, relationships and organisational engagement.

Lead researcher, Dr Jung Yin Tsang, from 黑料网吃瓜爆料, said:

鈥淥ur research suggests that the future of safer care will not be built on software alone, but on how well digital tools work alongside patients, clinicians, pharmacists and healthcare teams.

"To unlock their full potential across the NHS, we must move away from isolated, complex software. Policymakers and developers must focus on intuitive, joined-up systems that fit naturally into a GP鈥檚 busy workday without adding to their administrative burden."

Professor Mike Lewis, NIHR Scientific Director for Innovation, said:

鈥淭his NIHR-funded evidence demonstrates how well-designed digital technologies can improve patient safety in everyday care. It highlights the importance of investing in robust research into digital technology so the NHS adopts the systems which are safe and proven to improve outcomes for patients and staff.鈥�

Health and Social Care Minister Baroness Merron, said:

鈥淭his research shows the real difference that well-designed digital technology can make to patient safety, helping clinicians reduce medication errors, identify risks earlier and ensure patients receive timely care.

鈥淎s we deliver our 10-Year Health Plan, we are transforming the NHS through better use of technology, so staff have the tools they need to provide safer, more joined-up care closer to home. Research like this helps ensure we invest in digital innovations that deliver better outcomes for patients and support our workforce.

"By backing high-quality research and adopting technologies that are proven to work, we can build a modern NHS that is safer, more efficient and provides the highest quality care for every patient."

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The paper Digital patient safety interventions in primary care: a systematic review and meta-analysis was published in BMC Medicine and is .

Read the full NIHR news story: .