Socio-technical analysis and modeling of hazards related to test ordering and results management systems in primary care: impacts on safety and performance

Systems for laboratory test ordering and results management are a significant source of 'error' in primary care settings worldwide. However research on this topic is limited and largely confined to North America. As part of... [ view full abstract ]

Systems for laboratory test ordering and results management are a significant source of 'error' in primary care settings worldwide. However research on this topic is limited and largely confined to North America. As part of a larger European study, the Medical Protection Society provided organisational data on systems hazards from over 700 UK and Ireland general practices. The data were analysed to highlight potential risks across the work system and merged with existing empirical data to enable development of a related socio-technical conceptual model of system hazards and potential impacts on safety and performance