Study: Digital maturity linked to better patient safety outcomes

Hospitals with greater levels of digital maturity ─ the capability to use digital systems to improve patient care processes, enhance patient safety and provide quality health care ─ are associated with higher Leapfrog hospital safety grades, a study found. Published in the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Journal of Patient Safety, the study found digital maturity is associated with reduced infection rates, reduced adverse events and improved surgical safety outcomes. The cross-sectional, observational study analyzed the electronic medical record assessment model of 1,026 U.S. hospitals to explore the relationship among Leapfrog safety scores and digital maturity levels designated as “advanced” or “fully developed digital maturity” compared with hospitals with underdeveloped digital maturity. However, less than 16% of study hospitals achieved advanced digital maturity. (AHRQ Journal of Patient Safety article, 8/21/24)