CPOE solution at the core of the electronic medical record

In North America and Europe, a new generation of computer systems is fast becoming a major weapon in the battle against medical error. These systems are commonly classified as “Computer Physician Order Entry” or CPOE systems.

CPOE – a proven solution

In North America and Europe, a new generation of computer systems is fast becoming a major weapon in the battle against medical error. These systems are commonly classified as “Computer Physician Order Entry” or CPOE systems (although it is worth noting that many of these offer a wide range of decision support functions beyond the ordering and prescribing processes that the name would suggest).

CPOE systems are designed to trap potential errors at the earliest possible point in the treatment process. In many cases, this will be at the time that medication is ordered by the physician. Rather than writing a paper-based order, the physician enters the order into a computer, which then checks it for incorrect dosages, incorrect drugs, drug-allergy interactions, drug-drug interactions, drug-food interactions and other possible causes of error. Further along the path, the system can then monitor the treatment process, ensuring that nursing staff are administering the correct drug to the correct patient at the correct time, and can issue an alert if the patient’s condition has changed in such a way that a new course of treatment should be considered.

CPOE systems are not intended to take the decision-making process away from the medical practitioners, but are designed to provide the practitioner with the necessary data to make informed decisions.

CPOE – improving safety and reducing costs

Studies of live CPOE systems in North American hospitals have indicated that CPOE can have a dramatic effect in reducing the incidence of errors. In several cases, error rates have been shown to be reduced by 55% to 70% and serious medication errors by up to 86%.

In addition to the immediate effect on error rates, CPOE has also been found to lower stress levels significantly among medical and nursing staff, to improve decision-making capabilities, and to enhance training facilities – all of which can be expected to help create a safer working environment.

Significant reductions in error rates also lead to substantial cost savings. As an example, in one hospital the average length of stay was reduced by 0.9 days after the introduction of CPOE, and hospital charges were reduced by 13%.

VisualMED - CPOE integrated into the electronic medical record - a comprehensive solution for a clinic, a hospital, or for regional healthcare

VisualMED Clinical Solutions is fast establishing itself as a world leader in the development of CPOE and decision support technology. The VisualMED System is a comprehensive clinical information system containing expert physician order entry at its core (CPOE), seamlessly linked to all clinical nursing functions and results reporting. In addition to ease of use for healthcare providers, VisualMED's compelling advantages are that it saves time and money and is fully scaleable to suit any clinical environment.