Effect of computerized physician order entry inactivation to order complementary studies in an emergency department

Introduction. The computerized provider order entry (CPOE) is a computing tool that could lead to unintended consequences despite its myriad benefits. We aimed to explore the effect of its inactivation on requests for complementary studies and the associated costs. Methods. Cross sectional study at...

Descripción completa

Guardado en:
Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Muñoz, Agustin Matias, Frutos, Eliana Ludmila, Pedretti, Ana Soledad, Pollan, Javier Alberto, Luna, Daniel Roberto, Martínez, Bernardo Julio, Grande Ratti, María Florencia
Formato: Artículo revista
Lenguaje:Inglés
Español
Publicado: Universidad Nacional Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Secretaria de Ciencia y Tecnología 2023
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://revistas.unc.edu.ar/index.php/med/article/view/36760
Aporte de:
Descripción
Sumario:Introduction. The computerized provider order entry (CPOE) is a computing tool that could lead to unintended consequences despite its myriad benefits. We aimed to explore the effect of its inactivation on requests for complementary studies and the associated costs. Methods. Cross sectional study at the Emergency Department of Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, which included a consecutive sample of pre-intervention (January-February 2020) and post-intervention (2021) consultations. Using secondary bases, the variables included were administrative debits and their respective billing prices. Results. There were 27,671 consultations in 2020 with a total median value of $474, and 20,819 with $1,639 in 2021. After the analysis restricted to the area of ​​moderately complex clinics (excluding COVID-19 consultations), the following was found: a decrease in the median number of practices per consultation (median of 11 vs. 10, p=0.001), a decrease in the request for at least one laboratory practice (45% vs. 39%, p=0.001), without finding significant changes in global costs (median $1,419 vs. $1,081; p=0.122) or in specific laboratory costs (median $1,071 vs. $1,089, p=0.710). Conclusion. Despite inflation, a significant reduction in the number of practices was achieved and overall costs per consultation were maintained. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the intervention, but an educational intervention aimed at reminding the potential harm of overuse and the health costs of unnecessary studies will be necessary.