Impact of electronic prescribing in a hospital setting: a process-focused evaluation.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate effects of a natural CPOE implementation in a hospital setting and inform the efficacy of using CPOE rather than traditional paper medication orders.


METHODS
A multiple-baseline, quasi-experimental study of a naturally occurring CPOE intervention, with a non-equivalent control site.


METHODS
Compliance with medication-ordering protocols and time to first dose of antibiotics.


RESULTS
Medication orders placed using CPOE were significantly more compliant than paper-based medication orders, and first doses of antibiotics were delivered significantly faster when ordered with CPOE than when placed using the standard paper-based system (p<.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Findings support the use of CPOE and justify the need for interventions to increase CPOE adoption and consistent use among physicians.
Cunningham
Thomas R
TR
Department of Psychology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States. tcunning@vt.edu
Geller
E Scott
ES
Clarke
Steven W
SW
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D008485:Medical Audit; D050316:Medical Order Entry Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D017751:Safety Management; D014768:Virginia
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents