title: Computerized prescriber order entry and opportunities for medication errors: comparison to tradition paper-based order entry.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Predefined error opportunity categories were used as a surrogate for medication errors to assess the impact of computerized prescriber order entry (CPOE) on the potential for error in the prescribing and order entry phases of the medication-use process.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was performed in a neonatal intensive care unit at a 535-bed tertiary care center. Pre- and post-CPOE implementation incidence of error opportunity was compared by evaluating 500 orders before and after implementation using 18 predefined criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 14 913 opportunities for error (OE) existed in our sample of 1000 medication orders. The number of orders with zero OE improved from 42% (n = 209) to 98% (n = 480; P < .0001), in the pre- and postgroups, respectively. The odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was 0.058 (0.036-0.094) in favor of CPOE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The implementation of CPOE was associated with a reduction in OEs in the prescribing phase or order entry phase of the medication-use process.
authors: Pharmacy Department, Memorial University Medical Center, Savannah, GA, USA.
authors: Kenneth G
authors: KG
authors: Jozefczyk
authors: William Klugh
authors: WK
authors: Kennedy
authors: Miranda Jackson
authors: MJ
authors: Lin
authors: Julie
authors: J
authors: Achatz
authors: Maresa Dimarco
authors: MD
authors: Glass
authors: W Susie
authors: WS
authors: Eidam
authors: Michael J
authors: MJ
authors: Melroy
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D050316:Medical Order Entry Systems; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008510:Medication Systems, Hospital; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital
keywords: computerized order entry; hospital; medication safety; pharmacy administration