The objective of this scoping review is to develop a model to understand the factors that influence clinical downtimes or clinical activities in a healthcare organization. To report on the results of searches preformed using seven bibliographic databases, using the logical search criteria of (downtime AND (EMR OR Electronic Medical Record OR EHR OR Electronic Health Record). After a title, abstract and full-text review 26 articles remained. The articles were coded and analyzed for themes. Downtime planning activities mitigate the effects of disasters on patient safety outcomes and clinical delays. A model was developed representing the relationships between disasters, the moderating variable of downtime planning activities and patient safety as well as clinical outcomes. Disasters can have significant impact on patients and health professionals. Downtime planning activities can be enacted when a disaster occurs to moderate the effects of the downtime on patients and clinical activities and can improve safety.
Keywords: Downtime; disasters; resilience; safety.