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Computerized Order EntryThe seven-country comparison of computerized prescriber-order entry (CPOE) implementation in hospitals by Jos Aarts and Ross Koppel (Mar/Apr 09) offers a platform for discussing information technology (IT) applications in hospital medication use. Data collected by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists further elucidate the status of CPOE in the United States.1 In 2007, 18 percent of hospitals had implemented CPOE, and two-thirds of them had clinical decision-support systems. In 16 percent of hospitals with CPOE, medication orders still needed to be manually reentered into pharmacy computer systems (thereby diluting one benefit of CPOE). Slightly more than half of the hospitals without CPOE said that they planned to implement it within three years. Hospital IT priorities should exploit the opportunities to improve patient safety in each step of the medication-use process. The potential for harm is nearly equal in the prescribing and drug-administration steps.2 Thus, it is noteworthy that 24 percent of hospitals have invested in bar-code drug administration technology, and 56 percent of the rest plan to do so within three years.3 Computerized infusion pumps that check doses against preset limits are used by 44 percent of hospitals; 47 percent of the rest plan to acquire this technology within three years. Hospitals are investing significant human resources in the application of IT to the medication-use process. For example, 36 percent of hospitals employ dedicated pharmacy personnel to collaborate with physicians, nurses, and IT staff in this cause.
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