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Trends in Informatics – the Use of Computerized Provider Order Entry

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Trends in Informatics – the Use of Computerized Provider Order Entry

The new healthcare trend and technology I choose to discuss this week is computerized provider order entry (CPOE), which refers to a wireless and internet-based technology that allows healthcare providers to create, send, share, and view treatment instructions via a computer as opposed to telephone, fax, or paper (HealthIT.gov, n.d.). The data that can be shared using CPOE technology ranges from radiology orders and laboratory results to medication instructions. The primary reason for the design of CPOEs was to reduce time wastage and address a broad range of medication errors that were evident in the traditional paper-based ordering systems.

As a nurse, I support the implementation of CPOEs in all clinical and medical facilities because of their ability to improve efficiency as well as reduce time wastage, which subsequently lowers the overall cost of medical care. By allowing healthcare workers to submit orders through an electronic system, CPOEs can assist organizations with radiology and laboratory results and medication orders from the pharmacy faster. This can highly save time and improve efficiency. I cannot just fathom how long it will take for a patient to get from a physician to a laboratory and then back to the physician before going to the pharmacy in a hospital as big as the New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

Besides improving efficiency in clinical settings, the implementation of CPOEs can also potentially address medication errors and, consequently, boost patient safety. Since CPOEs are digitized systems, they can lower human errors committed by providers when using paperwork. This ensures that providers only create and share complete, legible, and standardized orders. Furthermore, most CPOEs usually come with built-in CDSS (clinical decision support structures/systems) that can run automatic checks for allergies, drug interactions, and other likely issues (HealthIT.gov, n.d.). For RNs, I believe implementing CPOEs in clinical settings, especially in large hospitals, can improve the ability of providers to make informed decisions based on evidence and valid patient assessments.

However, just like all other healthcare technologies, including electronic health records (EHRs), certain ethical, privacy, and legal considerations must be observed when rolling out computerized provider order entry systems. For example, the ethical concept of informed consent must be observed, meaning that providers must request patients for their permission to share their private data with third parties, including their colleagues not involved in primary care (Berner, 2008). Patients can take legal action against providers who share their private data through digital platforms like CPOEs without consenting them.

Therefore, providers must ensure that all CPOEs have adequate security measures to safeguard the privacy of patient information. Providers must observe legal procedures or laws before rolling out any technologies in clinical settings, as well as rules that govern their use. As stated by Hebda, Hunter, and Czar (2019), the 1996 HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is today regarded by many as the quintessential privacy federal law designed to safeguard the privacy of patient information.

References

Berner, E. S. (2008). Ethical and legal issues in the use of health information technology to improve patient safety. HEC Forum, 20(3), 243-258.

Hebda, T., Hunter, K., Czar, P. (2019). Handbook of informatics for nurses and healthcare professionals (6th ed.). New York, NY: Pearson.

HealthIT.gov. (n.d.). What is computerized provider order entry? Retrieved from https://www.healthit.gov/faq/what-computerized-provider-order-entry

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Question 

Trends in Informatics – the Use of Computerized Provider Order Entry

Week 5 Discussion Trends in Informatics (graded)

Purpose

This week’s graded discussion topic relates to the following Course Outcomes (COs).

Due Date

Trends in Informatics – the Use of Computerized Provider Order Entry

Points Possible

Directions

Discussion Question

This is the week to really see where technology and healthcare are connecting. Select ONE of the following trends and discuss your understanding of this trend in healthcare and its potential impact on your practice as a nurse. What are the legal, privacy, and ethical considerations of this trend? (Everyone attempt to choose a different topic so that we will learn about the many advancements in technology).

Grading

To view the grading criteria/rubric, please click on the 3 dots in the box at the end of the solid gray bar above the discussion board title and then Show Rubric. See Syllabus for Grading Rubric Definitions.

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