Post by Editor on Apr 13, 2009 15:18:52 GMT -5
Methodist Completes Computerized Physician Order Entry Conversion
Peoria, Illinois (April 13, 2009)--Methodist Medical Center this week became the first hospital in Peoria to become 100% operational with Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE). Methodist is now one of less than 10% of the nations’ hospitals that is using the high-tech system.
Ellen Swoger, Chief Information Officer for Methodist, said Methodist started the initial planning for CPOE in June of 2007. Utilizing McKesson Horizon Expert Orders, the first hospital unit went “live” in April 2008. This week the final unit in the hospital made the switch. Swoger said, “Industry sources have identified Computerized Physician Order Entry as one of the most important ways to enhance patient safety and improve medication management.”
Computerized Physician Order Entry systems are electronic prescribing systems that intercept errors when they most commonly occur—at the time medications are ordered. With CPOE, physicians enter orders into a computer rather than on paper. Orders are integrated with patient information, including laboratory and prescription data. The order is then reviewed for errors or other problems and the care team is alerted to investigate and resolve any problems. Specific benefits include:
• A prompt for possible drug interaction
• Elimination of confusion among drug names that may sound alike
• Improved communication between physicians and pharmacists, eliminating often difficult- to-read physician handwriting
• Reduced healthcare costs through improved efficiency.
Patient safety advocates such as the Institute of Medicine and The Leapfrog Group promote the use of CPOE systems to improve patient safety, decrease practice variation, and provide real-time patient information to enhance patient care delivery.
According to Methodist President and CEO Michael Bryant, “Methodist’s goal is to be in the top five percent in all that we do. This latest milestone continues to demonstrate how we are achieving that in our technological advancements, as we continue to take Central Illinois well into the future.”
Peoria, Illinois (April 13, 2009)--Methodist Medical Center this week became the first hospital in Peoria to become 100% operational with Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE). Methodist is now one of less than 10% of the nations’ hospitals that is using the high-tech system.
Ellen Swoger, Chief Information Officer for Methodist, said Methodist started the initial planning for CPOE in June of 2007. Utilizing McKesson Horizon Expert Orders, the first hospital unit went “live” in April 2008. This week the final unit in the hospital made the switch. Swoger said, “Industry sources have identified Computerized Physician Order Entry as one of the most important ways to enhance patient safety and improve medication management.”
Computerized Physician Order Entry systems are electronic prescribing systems that intercept errors when they most commonly occur—at the time medications are ordered. With CPOE, physicians enter orders into a computer rather than on paper. Orders are integrated with patient information, including laboratory and prescription data. The order is then reviewed for errors or other problems and the care team is alerted to investigate and resolve any problems. Specific benefits include:
• A prompt for possible drug interaction
• Elimination of confusion among drug names that may sound alike
• Improved communication between physicians and pharmacists, eliminating often difficult- to-read physician handwriting
• Reduced healthcare costs through improved efficiency.
Patient safety advocates such as the Institute of Medicine and The Leapfrog Group promote the use of CPOE systems to improve patient safety, decrease practice variation, and provide real-time patient information to enhance patient care delivery.
According to Methodist President and CEO Michael Bryant, “Methodist’s goal is to be in the top five percent in all that we do. This latest milestone continues to demonstrate how we are achieving that in our technological advancements, as we continue to take Central Illinois well into the future.”