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.
Department of Psychology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States. tcunning@vt.edu
Thomas R
TR
Cunningham
E Scott
ES
Geller
Steven W
SW
Clarke
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