The role of ICT in clinical risk management: first evidence from an Italian experience

Clinical risk management may be considered as a set of actions with the aim of raising performance and health-care safety, through error learning. Most studies carried out and guidelines introduced give ample scope, to information and communication technology in clinical risk management. The assumption, in this case, is that human errors are an inevitable component in real life. Although this component can never be totally eliminated, the risk of error can be greatly reduced, if precise codes of behavior, shared by all health-care workers, are backedup by suitable information and technological support. With all of the above in mind, referring to the case in hand, we will try to pinpoint critical points associated with computerization of procedures and introduction of new technological instruments to manage clinical risk in a health-care institution, and how they should be dealt with. In particular, we will try to identify the key factors in related organizational change.