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Why DCB0160 Matters: Ensuring Digital Clinical Safety in Healthcare
In today’s NHS and wider healthcare ecosystem, digital systems are no longer a “nice-to-have” – they are fundamental to safe and effective patient care. From electronic health records and prescribing software to appointment booking apps and AI-driven tools, digital solutions are embedded in everyday practice. But with innovation comes responsibility: these systems must be safe to use, reliable, and not introduce avoidable risks to patients.
This is where DCB0160 comes in.
DCB0160 is the NHS Digital clinical risk management standard for health organisations deploying or using digital health technologies. It sets out the processes organisations must follow to ensure that clinical safety risks are identified, documented, and mitigated when new digital systems are implemented.
It’s the counterpart to DCB0129, which places similar requirements on manufacturers and developers of health IT solutions. Together, they ensure that both the creators and users of digital systems take ownership of clinical safety.
The primary goal of DCB0160 is to make sure technology supports – rather than compromises – patient safety. By following the standard, organisations can spot hazards early, reduce errors, and prevent adverse events caused by poorly designed or poorly implemented systems.
NHS organisations are required to comply with DCB0160 when they adopt new digital systems. Failing to do so can expose organisations to regulatory, financial, and reputational risks, particularly if patient harm occurs as a result of non-compliance.
For clinicians to feel confident using new systems, they need assurance that patient safety has been thoroughly considered. A strong clinical risk management process helps build trust among staff, patients, and partner organisations.
DCB0160 is not just a tick-box exercise. It encourages organisations to integrate clinical safety thinking into every stage of digital transformation – from procurement and implementation through to long-term use and monitoring. This creates a culture where safety is a shared responsibility.
Every healthcare organisation deploying digital systems must appoint a Clinical Safety Officer (CSO) to oversee DCB0160 compliance. The CSO ensures that hazard logs, safety cases, and ongoing monitoring are properly managed and kept up to date.
DCB0160 is more than a compliance requirement – it is a safeguard for patients, a reassurance for clinicians, and a framework for safe digital innovation in healthcare. As the NHS and wider health and social care system continue to embrace new technologies, adhering to DCB0160 is essential to ensuring that digital transformation delivers safer, better care for all.
