The effect of computerized provider order entry (CPOE) on ordering patterns for chest pain patients in the emergency department.

This study addressed the effect of CPOE implementation on chest pain ordering patterns for patients in the emergency department. Retrospective order data was collected to assess the implementation. 300 randomly selected, time matched patients with a chief complaint of chest pain were selected in a before/after study. Patient demographics, treatment and disposition data were collected on clinical orders. Order volume, completeness and completion times were assessed before and after implementation. Overall order volume increased significantly from 11.6 pre-CPOE to 19.9 post-implementation (p<.01). Order documentation deficiencies were noted pre-implementation with 35.6% containing all order elements. Order completion times were unchanged; however, laboratory completion times increased for admitted patients post-implementation. Order volume increased after CPOE implementation, likely due to improved ED-based admission order capture for admitted patients. Order completeness improved significantly including standing order documentation. Overall, CPOE implementation is associated with improved clinical documentation with limited effect on clinical testing turn-around times.