Response to a trial of physician-based inpatient order entry

Our group has developed a physician-operated inpatient order-entry system (BICS-OE). Mindful of the problems inherent in bringing a radical cultural change such as this to the hospital, we conducted two pilots of the system prior to its full implementation. Physicians and nurses both identified a number of benefits from the use of OE. Physicians reported a number of areas where OE use was difficult or could be improved; nurses reported fewer problems. Based on the pilot trials, we modified the interface and some data constructs. These changes have enhanced the usefulness of OE in patient care in our hospital, and can serve as a model to others developing order entry.