Managing Warning Overload

Healthcare has an abundance of obligations and administrative tasks that require our constant attention and distract from our time with patients. These tasks include completing EMR files, requesting prior authorization, and reading and digesting the bombardment of information that we receive. The warning overload can be added to that list. Physicians receive warnings from the devices they use, the drugs they prescribe, and the tests they order for their patients. This article discusses the concept of warning overload and offers suggestions for controlling the multiple warnings physicians receive.