Definition Thursday: Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE)

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Digital Health Expert. Managing Editor and Founder, MedicalRecords.com

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Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE):

A Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE) is an electronic prescribing system. It is also known as e-Prescribing. With CPOE, physicians enter prescription orders into a computer rather than on paper, which allows prescriptions to be electronically transmitted between the physician, the patient and the pharmacy. Prescriptions can be sent directly from the physician’s office to the pharmacy, while also storing prescription data in the patient’s electronic medical record (EMR) or electronic health record (EHR).

Electronic medical orders are integrated with other patient information in an EMR, including laboratory and prescription data. The order is then automatically checked for potential errors or problems, such as drug interactions or incorrect dosages. This health care system is faster, more convenient, and reduces a significant amount medication errors that occur with the current paper-written prescription method.

Finding the appropriate electronic medical record (EMR) software for your practice can be a daunting task. There are literally hundreds of choices available and many factors to consider. The quality and work flow of your practice depend on your making the right selection, as does your ability to collect payments from the U.S. government. To make matters worse, most information sources out there utilize a myriad of abbreviations and acronyms further complicating the process and causing frustration. To help minimize this, each Thursday MedicalRecords.com Blog will publish a relevant abbreviation or acronym you will come across during your EMR software search!

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