The practical implementation of computerized physician order entry (CPOE) requires a phased approach for any doctor ordering system. Traditionally, many practitioners adopt a sudden, one-time strategy to their CPOE implementation. While this may seem to be a more cost-effective approach, it can have some adverse effects. It disrupts the workflow, and the physician community in the hospital may not buy into it.
On the other hand, a phased, incremental approach offers these benefits:
- Providers can automate workflows for physicians without disrupting clinical processes
- Physicians don’t have to relearn how to practice medicine
- Most users will have adequate time to adapt, thereby increasing the rate of success.
A CPOE system also offers a provider the means to reduce prescription errors, track metrics, facilitate transitions of care, and measure quality improvement.
The increasing demand for integrated healthcare has a direct effect on the need for CPOE tools and systems. The global revenues of the CPOE market are supposed to rise to about $1.48 billion in 2020 from $999.4 million in 2014.
Apply these four tips to achieve successful CPOE implementation:
1. Automate the Doctor Ordering Process
The primary focus of a CPOE project should be to enhance patient safety by automating the physician’s ordering process. Although it is desirable to automate workflows for nursing and other ancillary staff, that should not be the primary goal.
A CPOE system must not be used to increase a physician’s workload while getting rid of other care team members. After the physician’s task has been automated, it may be appropriate to automate other care forms like nursing.
2. Focus on Efficiency While Designing the Doctor Ordering System
Design your CPOE system to reduce the amount of time physicians use to perform their regular duties. For instance, you can introduce systems with voice-to-text features that speed up the rate at which doctors can create their treatment orders. The CPOE should be fully integrated with the EMR, ensuring that patient demographics and other details are automatically filled to eliminate data entry errors.
3. Educate All Physicians and Hospital Employees
When CIOs realize that they need to educate the entire hospital about electronic ordering systems, CPOE will be easier to implement. CIOs may use seminars and workshops to keep all clinicians updated about the implementation of the CPOE system.
Train every potential user in the organization. Use online training tools that will allow users to use self-paced learning techniques. Then, complement online learning with seminars and hands-on training to reveal any challenges the users may have with the system.
4. Work With a Multi-Professional Team
Embrace the CPOE system as a hospital-wide project. You will have greater success with a team that has members drawn from different parts of the organization. Each team member will give diverse perspectives on the practical implementation of the ordering system. Taking representatives from various specialties will enable you to know in advance if a specific requirement will hinder or improve a department’s operations.
5. Provide for Flexibility in Implementation
Every organization’s tolerance for change varies along with the goals and reasons for implementing a new CPOE. When you understand your organization’s ability to adopt and adapt to new systems, you can decide on the most effective implementation approach.
A good rule of thumb is to focus on getting all the physicians to buy into the new system before introducing other process change levels. This will usually lead to a higher level of acceptance and success.
Want to Use CPOE or Improve an Existing Doctor Ordering System?
To learn more about implementing or improving computerized physician order entry in your organization, contact the CPOE specialists at LifePoint Informatics or call 877.522.8378 today.