Information technology and eHealth to improve patient safety

Patient safety is a key element of high-quality healthcare. Digitalization, new eHealth applications and data-based algorithms have high potential to make a significant contribution. This article presents current technological developments along a simplified patient journey from emergency medical triage, diagnosis and therapy to follow-up. The technical interventions are highly diverse and mostly accompanied by a low level of evidence, since most of them are from single academic projects or start-ups. Although there should be no doubt that technology is an important instrument for increasing patient safety, new technologies also involve new risks. Furthermore, technical measures must always be embedded in an overall concept of organizational measures, adequate education, training and accompanying research in order to generate the highest possible benefits and lowest possible risks.