Re: Greenbelt, MD meeting; VistA rollout plan template

[david derauf]

Cedars-Sinai suspends CPOE use (ANYONE KNOW WHAT THEY WERE USING?) January 22, 2003 Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles has indefinitely suspended use of its computerized physician order entry (CPOE) system, after hundreds of doctors complained it was difficult to use and compromised patient safety, the Los Angeles Times reports. Cedars-Sinai introduced the customized system in October 2002 in response to a state law that requires hospitals to adopt plans to reduce medical errors by 2005. At a staff meeting Friday, physicians voted �nearly unanimously� to suspend the CPOE system until system flaws could be corrected, including problems completing routine clinical tasks, such as ordering medication, tests and supplies, according to the Times. Physicians say the system caused errors and delays but none which resulted in patient deaths and injuries. Hospital officials, however, maintain that physicians� opposition to the system stemmed from difficulties using the system and time constraints, not patient safety. Some physicians stand by the system and see the suspension as a delay, not a setback. �This is just two curves crossing,� said Dr. Scott Kaplan, a Cedars-Sinai surgeon. �The curve reflecting discontent is going to drop steadily as the software developers make [the CPOE system] more user-friendly.� The hospital�s other computer systems are unaffected by the suspension and will continue to operate. Cedars-Sinai has not set a date when the CPOE system will go back online, according to Chief of Staff Dr. Michael Shabot (Ornstein, 1/22).