Computerized Medical Files: Is There Any Reducing Risk in Robust Maintenance and Oversight?

Since its implementation in 2008, the “Camelion” computerized medical file management system has been utilized by over 80% of hospitals in Israel, serving millions of patients daily. However, a recent inspection and control process has uncovered another serious malfunction in the system. This defect resulted in an incorrect copy of clinical information for some hospitalized patients, leading to errors in blood type, misdiagnoses, and incorrect labeling of procedures being copied from patient to patient. Despite this, the ministry of health reports that no patients were harmed by these malfunctions, but investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the issue.

In February, the first malfunction in “Camelion” software from “Elad Systems” group was discovered, affecting around 1,200 patients by erroneously adding drugs to their list of permanent medications. This incident highlights the potential dangers of relying on computerized systems like “Camelion” without proper maintenance and oversight. As authorities continue to investigate these malfunctions, it is crucial for hospitals to address these issues promptly to ensure patient safety and the accuracy of medical records. The reliance on computerized systems like “Camelion” underscores the importance of robust maintenance and oversight to prevent such errors from occurring in the future.