Physician order entry system cuts error rate, improves path compliance, tracks data

Installing physician order entry systems goes a long way to reducing expensive adverse drug events. Brigham and Women's Hospital's automated physician order entry system identifies potential drug interaction problems and flags dosage errors--plus it enables data collection to track prescribing practices and encourages physicians to follow standardized pathways. Here are the details on BWH's system, its study on how adverse drug events waste health care dollars, and advice on minimizing adverse events at your institution.