Computerized provider order entry in pediatric oncology: design, implementation, and outcomes

Pediatric oncology is a challenging environment for computerized provider order entry (CPOE). Our goal was to build on the proven safety features of CPOE and facilitate input of expert clinicians.

A standard, commercially available CPOE system was implemented throughout the hospital. The design of the pediatric oncology implementation was a collaborative effort by a multidisciplinary team of clinicians and information technology experts.

During 9 months of configuration effort, 30 medical logic modules and 110 order sets were developed to support pediatric oncology. The proportion of chemotherapy orders submitted using specific research protocol or standard-of-care order sets increased from 57% to 84% as the number of active order sets grew to 200. The number of medication-related patient safety events decreased 39% after implementation of CPOE in pediatric oncology. Acceptance of the system is high in all clinical disciplines.

Implementation of CPOE required extensive customization but improved patient safety in this highly complex pediatric oncology environment.