Doctors advocates are warning medical IT systems are outdated, after a technical error at Hawke's Bay Hospital almost cost a child her life

A 12-year-old girl sustained serious liver injuries in a car accident, but scan results failed to show up in hospital records, meaning she went without the vital care while staying in hospital overnight.

Resident Doctors Association National Secretary Deborah Powell says it points to a wider issue in the health system.

She says doctors rely heavily on IT systems, as all patient records are IT-based and the systems need updating.