Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE) and Barcoding: Technology Solutions to Improve Patient Safety and Quality

The workflow for ordering medications was redesigned through the use of an electronic
process to enter and manage the medication-ordering process referred to as CPOE. CPOE
is defined as the utilization of software to support the medication-ordering process of the
provider. CPOE and barcoding medications have been shown to prevent medication errors
in multiple studies (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2017), and, as a result,
CPOE was a critical component for meaningful use (MU) stage 1 requirements.
CPOE has helped avoid potential harm to patients through safer medication management
and administration. Additionally, commentaries have called for CPOE designers to tailor
alerts to maximize safety while avoiding alert fatigue. Yet there have also been unintended
consequences of CPOE systems; for example, more or new work for clinicians, unfavorable
workflow issues, and/or unfavorable changes in communication patterns (Ash et al., 2007).
A typical acute care CPOE process is reflected in the workflow diagram in Figure 21.8.
Hospitals and providers map processes in workflows as depicted in this figure to determine
where areas of concern for patient safety might arise and to think through QI initiatives that
would address the potential concerns.

 Workflow redesign is an important technique to
adopt to address challenges with technology implementation and to optimize technology
once implemented.
FIGURE 21.8
Typical CPOE Workflow. 

NURS 8077 Assignment
Examine the workflow relating to CPOE and reflect on the following questions:
• Consider how your clinical area manages the process of medication orders. Does
your organization use CPOE? Use workflow redesign methods to map your process
for medication ordering and administration.
• Compare and contrast your process to the process diagrammed in Figure 21.8. 

• Consider the following questions: 

o How does your process compare? Is it more efficient, less efficient, of better
quality, or of poorer quality? 

o Which do you believe is the better process? If one or the other is better for
quality or efficiency, support your position. 

o How will you measure the process to compare and contrast quality between
your current process and the process mapped in Figure 21.8?

 o What control charts would you utilize to measure process over time related
to CPOE quality?

 o How would you know if the process was “in control”?

 Instructions: 

Should be submitted to the assignment link as a properly formatted scholarly paper in
Word document file saved as Lastname8077Chapter21CaseStudy before submitting.
Need to include title page, descriptive and concise headings, citations and references, and
with minimal punctuation, spelling, and grammar errors.