Abstract

All of the responders have added significantly to the lead paper by further illustrating the patient safety battlefield. Their commentaries further define the etiology of medical errors and the barriers to overcoming them. They validate the need for new information management tools including the EHR and the importance of learning from others in using information technology to effect change and improve patient safety. They describe the mechanisms of clinical decision support and patient safety surveillance systems. They illustrate working Canadian EHR solutions that are beginning to make a difference, and they suggest ongoing commitment from governments to patient safety.