Warning about software errors: Incorrect medication dosages possible
The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) has issued an important warning for medical practices in Germany. There are technical problems with the software used in many practices. When the nationwide medication plan is read into the computer system, errors can occur during transmission.
The problem affects what is known as practice management software. These programs help doctors organize their patients' data. When information is transferred from the medication plan, the software sometimes displays incorrect quantities for the medications. This means that the dosage on the screen does not match the actual plan.
Such transmission errors can be dangerous for patients. If a doctor does not notice the incorrect data, the patient may receive the wrong amount of their medicine. A dosage that is too high or too low can seriously affect health. Therefore, it is important that medical staff always check the digital data carefully.
The KBV recommends that medical practices compare the information in the system exactly with the printed medication plan. At the moment, one should not rely blindly on the automatic transfer of data. The software manufacturers have already been informed to fix the errors in their programs as quickly as possible.
This incident shows that digitalization in healthcare can also have risks. Although computers are intended to make work in the practice easier, human control remains indispensable. Patients who are unsure about their medication should always ask their doctor or pharmacy directly in case of doubt.