Evaluation of the Efficiency of a Computerized Physician Order Entry System Serving Pediatric Patients who Visit the Emergency Ddepartment

Lee, Seong Ju; Park, Won Bin; Cho, Jin Seong; Hyun, Sung Youl; Lim, Yong Su; Kim, Jin Joo; Lee, Su Bok; Yang, Hyuk Jun; Lee, Gun

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this article was to evaluate the efficiency of an automated prescription program serving pediatric patients who visited our emergency department. We expected that the program would reduce pediatric patient prescription errors and shorten the length of stay in the emergency department.
METHODS
We developed the computerized physician order entry system to serve the pediatric patients visiting the emergency department and recommended that the emergency medicine residents use this program. We compared the rate of error as it affected prescription dosage and length of stay in the emergency department, before and after the program was deployed. We also performed a survey with 20 emergency medicine residents that have used the program.
RESULTS
Of the total number of prescriptions filled, the number of prescription dosing errors observed was 40(4.5%) before and 22(2.8%) after the program was deployed. The results of the survey revealed high system usability and satisfaction. However, the length of stay in the emergency department was not affected.
CONCLUSION
The computerized physician order entry system for pediatric patients visiting the emergency department was effective in reducing prescription related medical errors.