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Computer Physician Order Entry
- Gilad J. Kuperman, MD, PhD; and
- Richard F. Gibson, MD, PhD
- From Partners HealthCare System, Inc., Wellesley, MA 02481, and Providence Health System, Portland, OR 97223.
The Editors welcome submissions for possible publication in the Letters section. Authors of letters should:
•Include no more than 300 words of text, three authors, and five references
•Type with double-spacing
•Send three copies of the letter, an authors' form signed by all authors, and a cover letter describing any conflicts of interest related to the contents of the letter.
Letters commenting on an Annals article will be considered if they are received within 6 weeks of the time the article was published. Only some of the letters received can be published. Published letters are edited and may be shortened; tables and figures are included only selectively. Authors will be notified that the letter has been received. If the letter is selected for publication, the author will be notified about 3 weeks before the publication date. Unpublished letters cannot be returned.
Annals welcomes electronically submitted letters.
IN RESPONSE:
We agree with Dr. Edwards that most of the research thus far on the impact of CPOE applications has been done at academic centers and that more research is needed to understand the challenges in implementing CPOE in institutions of different sizes and staffing models. More papers continue to be published on this topic (1). Our aim was to point out the opportunities and potential benefits that organizations should keep in mind as they struggle with the very real issues of implementation. We further agree that a situation in which physicians' efficiency is negatively affected over an extended period is not sustainable. Software developers and implementation staff must work to ensure that the technology fits as smoothly as possible into physician workflow.
Dr. Nassberg points out one pitfall in trying to use technology to improve care: computer systems installed but not used. No benefit will be gained in these circumstances. Organizations that implement technology projects must have clear quality and efficiency goals and must work toward them. Computers sitting on desks unused will not advance us to the quality goals we so desperately need to reach (2).
Gilad J. Kuperman, MD, PhD
Partners HealthCare System, Inc., Wellesley, MA 02481
Richard F. Gibson, MD, PhD
Providence Health System, Portland, OR 97223
The Editors welcome submissions for possible publication in the Letters section. Authors of letters should:
•Include no more than 300 words of text, three authors, and five references
•Type with double-spacing
•Send three copies of the letter, an authors' form signed by all authors, and a cover letter describing any conflicts of interest related to the contents of the letter.
Letters commenting on an Annals article will be considered if they are received within 6 weeks of the time the article was published. Only some of the letters received can be published. Published letters are edited and may be shortened; tables and figures are included only selectively. Authors will be notified that the letter has been received. If the letter is selected for publication, the author will be notified about 3 weeks before the publication date. Unpublished letters cannot be returned.
Annals welcomes electronically submitted letters.
