Challenges of In-House Development and Implementation of a CPOE for Oncology

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Health Informatics
• Medical Technology

Background:

• Academic tertiary care hospitals are increasingly adopting digital solutions for medication management.
• Chemotherapy protocols require precise handling due to their critical nature and potential for errors.
• Informatization of healthcare processes is crucial for improving efficiency and patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development of a computerized physician order entry (CPOE) system tailored for adult oncology patients.
• To enhance the chemotherapy protocol management process within a specialized hospital setting.
• To improve medication safety by preventing errors during prescription, preparation, and administration.

Main Methods:

• Conducting user needs assessments with healthcare professionals (physicians, pharmacists, nurses, administrative staff).
• Implementing a user-centered design approach for system development.
• Ensuring interoperability with the existing electronic health record (EHR) system.
• Developing and testing a functional prototype of the CPOE system.

Main Results:

• A comprehensive CPOE system prototype was successfully developed.
• User feedback was integrated throughout the design process, aligning the system with clinical needs.
• The system is designed for seamless integration with the hospital's EHR.

Conclusions:

• The developed CPOE system offers a pathway to safer and more efficient chemotherapy management.
• User-centered design and EHR interoperability are key components for successful clinical informatics implementation.
• This initiative represents a significant step towards error prevention in critical oncology care pathways.