In its constant efforts to keep pace with the cutting edge of medical technology, the National Naval Medical Center rolled out phase one of the Computerized Physician Order Entry system.
‘‘CPOE is a process of electronic entry of medical providers’ instructions for the treatment of patients under their care,” said National Naval Medical Center Commander Rear Adm. Matthew Nathan. ‘‘These computerized orders are transferred to staff (nurses, therapists, pharmacists) and departments (laboratory, radiology) responsible for completing the orders and treatment instructions.”
Nathan said that the new CPOE system will decrease the delay in the completion of orders, reduce errors related to misunderstood handwriting and transcription, reduce duplicate or incorrect doses or tests, and simplify inventory and posting of charges.
Lieutenant Cmdr. Tony Thornton, Bethesda’s chief information officer said the CPOE system is a huge step that will significantly improve patient safety by reducing medication errors.
‘‘There are growing pains with adopting any new technologies and it doesn’t always come easy to all,” Nathan said.
‘‘There is a learning curve involved with the CPOE system, but once the providers and clinical staff get used to using the system, they’ll find that it is a breeze,” said Thornton.
Nathan said currently the CPOE system is in place throughout all inpatient wards and works in conjunction with the Essentris System. Future phases of the roll out will include outpatient surgical services and emergency department services.
Halisha Mays, Bethesda’s Essentris System administrator said before CPOE went live, health care providers were offered classes and ‘‘over the shoulder” training.
‘‘We offered four classes a day for one week and one week of 24-hour coverage, over the shoulder support,” said Mays. ‘‘Those who missed the training can refer to the Essentris Pocket Reference Manual, the ‘quick sheet’, or the CPOE 101 Power Point training presentation, all of which are available in the Telemedicine Office and Staff Education and Training Department.”
‘‘[Technology] is moving at the speed of light. The day will come, and I can’t wait, when I will hear a couple of students walking down the passageway saying ‘can you believe they used paper and pens once to take care of patients?’” Nathan said.
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