DCP TOOLS: THE KEY TO ORDERING ACCURACY
By Nancy Siverston
With the spotlight turned on Patient Safety, we are all looking to our software systems for ways to
eliminate costly errors. Cerner Millennium DCP tools offer a robust assortment of tools to optimize order
entry and reduce errors. To fully utilize the potential of these tools, it is important for clients to
maintain a focus on maximizing the use of system features, while working to minimizing implementation
time.
The Order Entry Format tool is the first key to order accuracy. For the laboratory, most common tests
are covered adequately by a few key formats, and this area should be developed first. The primary area of
error, however is in the less common test orders, those for esoteric Reference lab testing, those which have
unique requirements for specimen collection and treatment such as 24 Hour Urines, and those with strict
collection timelines such as therapeutic drug levels. Development of specialized OEF’s for these areas will
contribute to greater accuracy of order details which are unlikely to be remembered. Priorities, specimens,
and collection times all lend themselves well to use of defaults for specialized tests.
Default field entries can be set up for specialized testing, and often the only difference between a
basic order entry format for urine chemistries and one for specialized timed urine collections will be in
the default specimen, collection time, and priority. While a test can be set to disallow stat ordering in
the builder screens, the DCP OEF is the place to specify a default to timed priority. Building a special
format with these defaults takes only moments, and assures future accuracy. Some defaults may be ‘set in
stone’ while others may be changeable by the user, a choice which is made when building the format. Another
key to this process is the involvement of department specialists to work with the orders team to assure
correct detailing.
Flexing the formats is another feature to exploit in the pursuit of accuracy. This can be done for
users, for applications, or other factors. Using this capability, the builder can change the fields and
defaults seen from the point of view of different user groups or users entering orders via different
applications. This allows lab personnel to see a different OEF setup when adding orders to existing
accessions than a nurse on the floor would see in PowerChart or what a Physician would see in PCO. There is
little downside to building more order entry formats, and the rewards are obvious.
A Second area which can be used to improve accuracy is Reference Text. The reference text tool allows
the addition of information germane to the order which can pop up on the screen, print out, or just be
available to the ordering persons. For some groups of lab tests, such as microbiology and AP, this
information is almost a must have, and it can be set up to function as needed. It can also supply valuable
information to new order entry users, and cut down on the learning curve in this area. While there is a
size limit on reference text, it is generous. Utilize this tool to add special ordering instructions such
as specimen delivery information, scheduling information or product pickup info, all of which will eliminate
incorrect orders and collections. This is one area where you can put information from the lab manual
online for rapid and convenient access by offsite clients also.
A last advantage of using these tools extensively is that supplying more information, limiting choices
where appropriate will reduce the amount of chaos at go live time, as well as ensuring order accuracy
throughout the life of the system. Please contact us at
vcs@getvitalized.com if you need additional
information on this topic