A study conducted by University of Pennsylvania researchers assessed the effectiveness of using a computerized physician order entry system to reduce orders for anticoagulant medication warfarin in combination with an antibiotic, which can result in deadly side effects, according to the abstract.
More than 1,900 clinicians were assigned to use either the CPOE system with a "hard stop" alert for the dangerous drug combination or the traditional practice without an electronic alert. Researchers found the electronic alert was effective in stopping orders for the drug combination, but the study was terminated due to unseen consequences. In four cases, the electronic alert stopped orders for patients who actually needed both drugs.
The researchers concluded that although a CPOE system with an electronic hard stop is an effective measure for safely prescribing medication, providers must continue to evaluate and monitor for unintended consequences resulting from using the system.
Read the abstract of "Unintended Effects of a Computerized Physician Order Entry Nearly Hard-Stop Alert to Prevent a Drug Interaction."
Read other coverage on computerized physician order entry systems:
- Report Suggests Potential Dangers From Using Computerized Prescribing Systems
- National Patient Safety Foundation Awards Grant to Brigham & Women's, Harvard Medical School to Research Safety of Computerized Ordering of Medications
- CPOE May Reduce Mortality Rates, Calif. Study Finds
More than 1,900 clinicians were assigned to use either the CPOE system with a "hard stop" alert for the dangerous drug combination or the traditional practice without an electronic alert. Researchers found the electronic alert was effective in stopping orders for the drug combination, but the study was terminated due to unseen consequences. In four cases, the electronic alert stopped orders for patients who actually needed both drugs.
The researchers concluded that although a CPOE system with an electronic hard stop is an effective measure for safely prescribing medication, providers must continue to evaluate and monitor for unintended consequences resulting from using the system.
Read the abstract of "Unintended Effects of a Computerized Physician Order Entry Nearly Hard-Stop Alert to Prevent a Drug Interaction."
Read other coverage on computerized physician order entry systems:
- Report Suggests Potential Dangers From Using Computerized Prescribing Systems
- National Patient Safety Foundation Awards Grant to Brigham & Women's, Harvard Medical School to Research Safety of Computerized Ordering of Medications
- CPOE May Reduce Mortality Rates, Calif. Study Finds