Poor medical data sharing, errors send tens of thousands to Dutch hospitals annually

Tens of thousands of patients are hospitalized each year due to medication errors linked to poor sharing of medical records, according to Dutch health organizations and patient advocates.

Dick Ruijsenberg, 76, takes blood thinners for heart problems. Last year, he assumed his medication history would be available to hospital staff during a throat operation and said nothing. On the morning of surgery, a nurse had to ask if he was taking blood thinners — a crucial detail for avoiding excessive bleeding. “I was very shocked,” he told De Telegraaf.

Ruijsenberg’s case is not unique. Research by Patiëntenfederatie Nederland (PN) among 10,000 patients found that at least one in ten serious or near-miss errors in care result from poor medical data exchange. The mistakes most often involve patients receiving drugs that conflict with medications they are already taking.

Experts say fragmented electronic patient record systems prevent hospitals, specialists, and general practitioners from sharing essential data.

Albert Boonstra, a health ICT professor at the University of Groningen, said the problem has persisted for two decades. “Technically, it can all be solved,” he told De Telegraaf. “But parties need to make the effort. Other countries have already fixed this. In the Netherlands, we are hopelessly behind. For patients, it is a disaster.”

Boonstra said hospitals often cannot exchange records, pharmacies may not know about specialist prescriptions, and general practitioners cannot access hospital systems. “Our medical data is scattered everywhere. Nobody has the full picture,” he said.

The delays have financial consequences as well, as inefficient information exchange contributes to wasted resources. Political and health authorities are reportedly working toward a national network to allow seamless data sharing by 2035. Boonstra called the timeline too slow.

Ruijsenberg’s operation went safely because he personally informed staff about his blood thinners. He now reports all his conditions — including heart problems, chronic leukemia, and skin cancer — to every care provider. He worries about the future: “If I were ever in a coma after an accident, I couldn’t speak for myself,” he told De Telegraaf.