Computerized Physician Order Entry Systems; Designed to Replace a Hospital's Paper-Based Ordering System

 

A computerized physician order entry system, also known as computerized provider order management or computerized provider order entry, is a healthcare information system used to electronically captures and stores doctor's instructions and help improve efficiency of patient-care management. Computerized physician order entry system has made life much easier for healthcare providers. This method of record keeping is far more efficient than paper-based methods and offers the advantage of being able to access health records from nearly anywhere, at any time. These systems are designed to replace a hospital's paper-based ordering system.

Computerized provider order entry systems refers to the process of providers entering and sending treatment instructions, such as radiology, laboratory, and medication orders through a computer application rather than fax, paper, or telephone. Most systems allow providers to electronically specify medication orders as well as referral, radiology, admission, laboratory, and procedure orders. It is an application that enables providers to enter medical orders in a computer system that is located within ambulatory or an inpatient setting. Examples include renal- and weight-based dosing, medication contraindications, patient allergies to prescribed medications, and drug interactions.

A computerized physician order entry system has become a necessity for physicians in the United States. With the healthcare industry is growing rapidly as a result of increasing patient satisfaction and costs, it is no surprise that doctors are looking for new ways to improve their services. One way that they have found that helps them attract new patients, manage workflow, and cut costs is through the use of EMR integration. EMR integration refers to the process by which a physician's information is imported into a computer system that contains medical information pertinent to the practice and is in direct contact with patients.

Few U.S. hospitals have implemented computerized physician order entry system in spite of its effectiveness at preventing serious medication errors. Moreover, there is an increasing demand for computerized physician order entry system due to increasing adoption of CPOE in the United States.