The Implementation of Computerized Physician Order Entry in the Intensive Care Unit

Author(s): Huawen Zhang

Computerized physician order entry (CPOE) has been known as a process of physician orders in an electronic way instead of the traditional paper-based system. CPOE has been included as one of core objectives in the term ‘Meaningful Use’ by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General reported 180,000 deaths in the United States in 2008 due to medication errors. The Institute of Medicine reported about 450,000 preventable adverse drug effects which costed additional $3.5 billion. On average, 1.7 medication errors per day and 74.5% errors in parenteral drugs administration were reported in the intensive care unit (ICU). The purpose of this research was to examine the benefits, barriers and risks of CPOE adoption in different ICUs. The methodology for this study was a literature review. Research was conducted by collecting scholarly online database and government websites. On one hand, CPOE could provide patient’s health record regardless of time and place, alerts in drug interactions, and suggest in clinical decisions in ICUs. CPOE could also reduce medication errors and adverse drug events significantly. On the other hand, CPOE could provide better solutions if it would be used with real-time conversation and as per workflow of ICUs. In addition, user satisfaction and sufficient training, were important factors in implementing CPOE with more successful and desired outcomes.

CPOE, Medication Errors, Adverse Drug Events, Intensive Care Units

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