Proposed model to determine satisfaction with computerised provider order entry systems in a long-stay hospital

Computerised provider order entry (CPOE) systems reduce medication errors, but are not without dangers. Knowing satisfaction with the CPOE helps to improve its implementation. Our objective was to determine the satisfaction of healthcare professionals with the CPOE in a long-stay hospital and to propose a single model.

A cross-sectional study in a long-stay hospital. Two questionnaires were distributed to determine satisfaction with CPOE, one for medical personnel (MP) and another for nursing personnel (NP). Data collected were: sex, age and work aspects. A strategy for item refinement and creation of a single scale was designed.

The overall participation rate was 63.6%, with 68 responses from the target population of 107. Overall, 72.2% (13 of 18) of MP and 40% (20 of 50) of NP were satisfied with CPOE. Regarding the specific questions on satisfaction in the questionnaires, 88.9% (n=16) of MP were very satisfied but only 56.0% (n=28) of NP. The median of each question was 4, with the exception of those for NP referring to a faster process and improved coordination, which were 3 and 3.5, respectively. The items weighing more in the second component were eliminated and the questions merged. After refining the items, a final six-item model was obtained with a single component of high reliability (Cronbach's α=0.896), which accounts for 67% of total variance.

The degree of satisfaction with CPOE in a long-stay hospital was high, though lower in NP than MP. Obtaining a single questionnaire can facilitate this process.