Patient safety means protecting people from avoidable physical or health-related harm – this also includes preventing mental stress. For emergency organizations, this means that all IT systems and processes must be designed in such a way that they do not cause any errors that could endanger lives. For example, incorrect or manipulated patient data must not lead to incorrect treatment.
Reference to the B3S of the BSI:
In the context of B3S, patient safety means that all measures and processes are aimed at minimizing risks to the health and well-being of patients. This includes:
- Physical safety: Protection from physical harm through safe medical devices and procedures.
- Psychological safety: Avoidance of psychological stress through transparent communication and support during treatment.
- Data security: Protection of patient data to prevent unauthorized access and misuse, which can also affect the mental safety of patients.
For example:
- Emergency services: Protection against data manipulation in electronic patient records that could lead to incorrect medication.
- Hospital: Avoiding IT failures in OR systems that affect vital equipment.