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December 8, 2008
Gearing up for Computerized Provider Order Entry

Jack Morford is a project director at Emory Healthcare.

Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE) is Emory Healthcare’s next step in improving quality for patients. CPOE allows the caregiver to order medications and clinical tests at the computer and send them instantaneously to the appropriate department. The system can even provide real-time clinical decision support, like dosage suggestions, allergy warnings and drug interaction checks. And since all orders are electronically entered into the system, challenges and errors related to handwriting will be eliminated.

The CPOE rollout will take place over an eight-month time period:

• February: Emory University Orthopaedics & Spine Hospital

• March through May: Emory University Hospital

• May: Wesley Woods Hospital

• June through August: Emory Crawford Long Hospital

The energetic CPOE implementation team is working round-the-clock to fine-tune the system and will provide ample, timely training and direction for all affected staff and physicians. To accommodate busy schedules, the training programs will be extremely flexible, with 24/7 online courses and convenient certification classes. After go-live, a robust on-site team will be available to offer support.

CPOE will be a challenging transition, as it will change clinical workflows, roles and responsibilities for both providers and non-providers alike. Our motto is “CPOE works for me,” as the system fulfills a basic functional need and benefits the user. Find out how CPOE works for you. We ask you to learn your role as a provider, recipient or supporter to help make CPOE at Emory Healthcare a success.