Over time nurses become more satisfied with computerized provider order entry (CPOE)

Health Information Technology

Computerized provider order entry (CPOE) allows providers to send medication and other orders directly to the pharmacy and other services. This technology can reduce errors and delays. However, implementing a CPOE system can be met with resistance on the part of providers and nurses.
A new study found that nurses’ satisfaction levels increased significantly after months of using the system. Other clinicians, on the other hand, were moderately satisfied initially and remained so after 1 year. Four intensive care units in one hospital implemented CPOE at the same time. Nurses, physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants were surveyed about their satisfaction with CPOE at 3 months and then at 1 year. Two open-ended questions asked them to list the three things they liked most about CPOE and three things they would like to change.
During the first 3 months of CPOE, nurses said they were most satisfied when they were able to get help when having problems entering orders. They were dissatisfied with the lack of training and time-consuming nature of CPOE. After 1 year, their satisfaction with the system rose significantly, although they still complained that it did not save them time. Other clinicians who issued orders had moderate satisfaction with CPOE at 3 months; this level remained the same at 1 year. They were most satisfied with its reliability, the availability of support, and the training received. However, they questioned its impact on patient care and also felt it slowed them down. After 1 year, clinicians were much more positive about the impact CPOE made on patient care.
According to the researchers, assessing end-user satisfaction with CPOE and other health information technologies must be measured at several points over time in order to gain an accurate picture of its success.
The study was supported in part by AHRQ (HS15274). See "Changes in end-user satisfaction with computerized provider order entry over time among nurses and providers in intensive care units," by Peter LT Hoonakker, Ph.D., Pascale Carayon, Ph.D., Roger L. Brown, Ph.D., and others in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association 20(2), pp. 252-259, 2012.

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Current as of June 2013

Internet Citation: Over time nurses become more satisfied with computerized provider order entry (CPOE): Health Information Technology. June 2013. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/news/newsletters/research-activities/13jun/0613RA29.html