Caution with medication: KBV warns of errors in doctor software
The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) has published an important warning for medical practices in Germany. There are technical problems with the software that doctors use to manage their patients. These errors can lead to incorrect information about medication dosages being stored in the system.
The problem occurs when the so-called "nationwide medication plan" (BMP) is read into the practice's computer system. Transmission errors can occur during this process. This means that the software provides incorrect information about the amount of medication, even though the original plan on paper was correct.
Such errors are dangerous for the health of patients. If the dosage is incorrect, people may take too much or too little of their medicine. The KBV therefore advises doctors to check all data carefully after reading it in and to compare it with the printed plan.
Various versions of practice management software (PVS) are affected. The KBV has already informed the manufacturers of these programs so that they can fix the technical errors as quickly as possible. Until a corresponding update is available, however, special caution is required in the practices.
For patients, it is advisable to ask directly at the practice if they are unsure. Anyone who has a medication plan should check during a doctor's visit whether the information in the computer matches their own plan. Patient safety always comes first in medical treatment.