COMPUTER PHYSICIAN ORDER ENTRY Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

COMPUTER PHYSICIAN ORDER ENTRY - Research Paper Example The CPOE system has been identified as significant model of attaining improvement, especially with regard to medication error minimization. Wrong medication administration has often resulted from errors in transcription of handwritten orders as well as confusion of drugs with similar sounding labels or names. However, with computerized ordering and bar code reading of orders and patient records, nurses are least likely to make errors. The capability of CPOE to significantly change the ordering procedures could substantially reduce misuse, underuse and overuse of the health services. The application of CPOE can bring significant improvement in various areas by enhancing compliance, shortening length of hospitalization, reducing medication errors, reducing healthcare costs, reducing legal suits and improve care outcomes (Committee on Quality of Health Care in America, Institute of Medicine, 2000). Introduction of CPOE within health facilities requires structural changes in staffing coupled by appropriate IT training to support staff use. Therefore, there is a need for systematic and extensive review of the ordering system and subsequent restructuring and redesign of the process. All these process should involve all stakeholders interacting with such a system so that they can learn how to apply it in care delivery (Kuperman & Richard, 2003). The CPOE system basically works by guiding the ordering system, and orders are first made by the medical practitioner based on the patient conditions and care requirements. In addition to order details other pertinent issues such as polypharmacy and patients allergies as well as conditions are included alongside the order. The complete order is the transmitted simultaneously to the pharmacy department as well as the patient care unit (AHRQ, 2012). The pharmacy uses the order dispense medicine and check any possible complications and proble ms that may arise