Time for Alert-ology or RE-sensitization?

Abstract

* Abbreviations: EMR — : electronic medical record In their case report in this issue of Pediatrics, Carspecken et al1 describe a child for whom the diagnosis of furosemide allergic hypersensitivity was delayed due to false-positive allergy alert overrides to other drugs. Although articles demonstrating the incidence and prevalence of alert fatigue are not new, I compliment Carspecken for the transparency as to how fatigue from false-positive electronic medical record (EMR) alerts may have adversely affected patient care. I am sure that most of us can review the case report, as can the authors, and will be able to pick apart many case details and see where improvements in the process of care could have been made. As we critique the events as described … Address correspondence to Stephen T. Lawless, MD, MBA, Vice President of Quality and Safety, Nemours 1600 Rockland Rd, ARB-100, Wilmington, DE 19803. E-mail: stephen.lawless{at}nemours.org