HIT: Understanding Health Information Technology and Its Impact on Medication Safety

When we talk about HIT, Health Information Technology refers to the systems and tools used to store, share, and analyze health data electronically. Also known as electronic health records (EHR) systems, it’s the backbone of modern pharmacy and clinical workflows—helping doctors, pharmacists, and patients make safer, faster decisions. Without HIT, catching a dangerous drug interaction between simvastatin and grapefruit juice, or spotting a dosage error in a fentanyl patch prescription, would rely on memory and paper charts—both prone to failure.

HIT doesn’t just digitize paperwork. It actively prevents harm. Systems now flag when a patient on immunosuppressants is due for a vaccine, or when a kidney patient is prescribed a DOAC at the wrong dose. They connect with the FDA’s drug safety alerts so pharmacists see recalls the moment they’re issued. And when a patient picks up Snovitra or rosuvastatin, HIT can cross-check their full medication list in seconds—something no human could do manually. This isn’t science fiction. It’s happening right now in clinics and pharmacies across Canada, reducing errors by up to 55% in some studies.

But HIT isn’t perfect. A poorly designed alert can cause alert fatigue, where staff start ignoring warnings. A glitch in the system might miss a rare interaction between weight loss drugs and antidepressants. That’s why real-world experience matters. The posts below show how real patients and professionals use HIT to stay safe—from setting up FDA email alerts to building personal safety checklists for pharmacy visits. You’ll find guides on how to verify your meds, spot counterfeit pills, and understand why authorized generics aren’t just cheaper—they’re often identical to the brand. Whether you’re managing hypothyroidism while on statins, dealing with dry eyes from medications, or helping an elderly relative avoid sedation, HIT tools are already in play. What you need to know is how to use them right.