Since the introduction of the Internet to academic centers for routine communications, medical researchers and clinicians have used this media to disseminate information amongst their peers. This instantaneous method of knowledge exchange has improved patient care as documented in numerous publications during the past decade especially of those researchers/clinicians working in critical care medicine. A number of issues contribute to the need for rapid knowledge procurement in intensive care units.

This paper highlights the genesis and evolution of medical errors, the critical care clinician as knowledge employee and end user of information and related technology and also provides information on who is responsible for assessing, evaluating and recommending the clinicians information technology.

"Reprinted from www.futuretechnow.info with permission from David H Walker”