Computerized provider order entry systems effectively reduced drug-related injuries in five community Massachusetts hospitals, according to a study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, News-Medical reports (News-Medical, 2/8).
Methodology
For the study, Brigham and Women's Hospital researchers examined the effect CPOE systems had on the frequency of preventable adverse drug events at five community hospitals in Massachusetts from January 2005 to September 2011 (HealthCanal, 7/2).
Key Findings
The study found a 34% reduction in preventable ADEs at the hospitals after they implemented their own CPOE system.
However, the study also found a 29.5% increase in potential ADEs or near-misses after CPOE implementation (News-Medical, 2/8).
Reaction
Lead study author David Bates -- senior vice president for quality and safety at Brigham and Women's -- concluded that while rates of preventable ADEs dropped after CPOE implementation, "all sites can benefit from tracking issues found post-implementation and making changes accordingly."
The study authors said that more research is needed to find the safest and most effective ways to implement CPOE systems (Hospital Information Technology Europe, 2/8).