Can Utilizing a Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE) System Prevent Hospital Medical Errors and Adverse Drug Events?

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This is a review on an article that examined the benefits and barriers of Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE) adoption in inpatient hospitals to determine the effects on medical errors and Adverse Drug Events (ADEs). The study also examined the cost and savings associated with the implementation of this new technology. [1]

First Review

Introduction

Providers and hospitals are continuing to moving forward towards using electronic medical records to meet the meaningful use standards and receive the financial incentives. In each of the meaningful use stages computerized provider order entry is one of the required measures for providers and hospitals. The majority of medical mistakes occur with orders services due to illegible handwriting and ADEs. A CPOE system can decrease the number of ADEs in a hospital, enhance patient safety, and decrease preventable medical errors. [1]

Methods

The method the authors used for their research in examining the benefits of and barriers to CPOE adoption was conducted in 3 stages:[1]

  • identifying the literature and collecting the data
  • analyzing and evaluating the literature found
  • categorizing the literature

Results

The results of this research study found that there were multiple benefits towards adopting and implementing a CPOE system. Some of the benefits found include: [1]

  • increased accessibility to patient records
  • ability for physicians to access records from home or office
  • 70% reduction in medication errors compared to paper records
  • increased care coordination

Discussion

Many hospitals and providers are implementing CPOE systems within their electronic systems. Research is showing the reduction in medical errors and adverse drug effects. This will promote patient safety, better patient outcomes and care and also save hospitals and providers millions of dollars from preventable medical errors.[1]

Limitations

The literature research was limited to the number of databases that were accessed.Publication and researcher bias may have affected the selection of sources. Also because CPOE is still fairly new few facilites that have fully adopted the system are available to be examined.[1]

Conclusion

CPOE is an effective sollution toward reducing and limiting medication errors and adverse drug events. CPOE can also be a cost savings for many facilities from potential patient safety events. CPOE allows physicians to have additional knowledge at their fingertips and patient related information that is intelligently filtered and presented at appropriate times. Evaluation and better estimates of the financial impact of CPOE CPOE are still needed to assess its financial feasibility. [1]

Related Article

Return on investment for vendor computerized physician order entry in four community hospitals: the importance of decision support[2]

Cost-effectiveness of an electronic medicationordering system (CPOE/CDSS) in hospitalized patients. [3]
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