title: A computerized intensive care unit order-writing protocol.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present a computerized intensive care unit order-writing protocol.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive report.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight-bed surgical intensive care unit, Department of Surgery, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY.
  
  
  METHODS
  IBM-based, computer network program that provides user-friendly, logical, and comprehensive organ-system order sequences for patient management.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Since July 1988, an order program that stresses (1) improved and more efficient patient care, (2) the use of program-integrated automatic safety features, (3) the substitution of computer entry for handwriting, and (4) the assurance that physicians deliver obligatory care in a logical organ-system-based progression has been implemented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The order protocol system presented is simple to introduce and operate, has minimal training and technical requirements, and is demonstrably reliable.
authors.affiliation: Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), Bronx, NY 10468.
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Halpern
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Greenstein
mesh_terms: D016494:Computer Security; D003422:Critical Care; D003626:Data Display; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000592:standards*; D004360:Drug Therapy, Computer-Assisted; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008122:Local Area Networks; D009519:New York City; D012984:Software