Safety of Electronic Medical Records

Resolved Section(s):
RESOLVED: That the Michigan Delegation to the AMA request that our AMA study the safety of electronic medical records and other health information technology; and be it furtherRESOLVED: That the Michigan Delegation to the AMA request that our AMA lobby the FDA to ensure stringent oversight of electronic medical records and other health information technology companies and software comparable to medical device manufacturers to ensure patient safety. RATIONALE: The Committee recognized the concerns regarding patient safety and patient data; however, determined that this issue is already being extensively studied by the federal government. For example, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) has been awarded a contract through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to study the issue. An overview of the study is as follows:“The IOM will review the available evidence and the experience from the field on how the use of health information technology (HIT) affects the safety of patient care and make recommendations on how public and private actors can maximize the safety of HIT-assisted health care services. The IOM’s final report will be both comprehensive and specific in terms of recommended options and opportunities for public and private interventions that may improve the safety of care that incorporates the use of EHRs and other forms of HIT.”The IOM is expected to release a report by January 2012.