Health care information technology vendors' "hold harmless" clause: implications for patients and clinicians.

Ross Koppel; David Kreda

Commentary

Health care information technology vendors' "hold harmless" clause: implications for patients and clinicians.

April 1, 2009

Koppel R, Kreda D. JAMA. 2009;301(12):1276-8.

View more articles from the same authors.

This commentary examines the current health care information technology (IT) policy that removes liability from health IT vendors when patients are harmed due to health IT failure (for example, if a computerized provider order entry system suggests an incorrect medication dose). It explores the legal basis for the current policy, and suggests a rebalance of responsibility between the vendors and health professionals.

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