DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES AND CONTINUITY OF CARE IN CAPS AD: CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ELECTRONIC CITIZEN RECORD (PEC) TO PATIENT SAFETY IN MENTAL HEALTH AND PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCE USE

Abstract

Psychosocial Care Centers for Alcohol and Drugs (CAPS AD) play an essential role in supporting individuals who suffer psychologically due to the use of psychoactive substances, requiring strategies that guarantee the continuity of treatment and patient safety. In this scenario, digital health technologies, particularly the Electronic Patient Record (EPR), have assisted in structuring clinical information, integrating different levels of care, and improving mental health care. This study aimed to examine how the EPR contributes to the continuity of care and patient safety in CAPS AD. This is a literature review with a qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory approach, conducted using scientific databases and official documents published between 2021 and 2026. The results showed that the use of the EPR facilitates the exchange of information between professionals, improves therapeutic monitoring, reinforces the integration of the Psychosocial Care Network, and reduces care failures associated with fragmentation of care. Furthermore, electronic records help increase safety in medication use and create more personalized and integrated treatment plans. However, obstacles related to technological infrastructure still exist, such as internet instability, fragmented systems, and the need for continuous training of teams. Expanding and improving the use of electronic patient records in CAPS AD (Psychosocial Care Centers for Alcohol and Other Drugs) are fundamental strategies to guarantee continuity of care, increase patient safety, and improve the quality of mental health care within the Unified Health System (SUS).