Implementing EDM and ED CPOE: Is It Worth It?
By Rene McKinnon
Most CEOs and CIOs would answer with a resounding YES!
Implementing Electronic Document Management (EDM) and/or Emergency Department (ED) Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE) modules have the potential to
enhance the ED’s throughput, improve patient satisfaction, decrease patient length of stay, and improve charge capture to facilitate better patient billing.
Patients being treated and released (approximately 70 to 80 percent of the patient population) spend less time in the emergency room. While medical decisions can
be made sooner for those patients being admitted or transferred to another facility.
Imagine an emergency room where the entire care team can access a patient’s record simultaneously from the time the patient is received in the department until
the time they leave the hospital and where physicians have the patient diagnostics and laboratory results accessible several minutes or hours sooner than
previously experienced.
Emergency Room Care
Patient care begins as soon as the patient steps through the door. The nurses can start the process by having the patient received and triaged. They can also
place orders for pertinent diagnostic and laboratory tests. Essential treatment can begin immediately by utilizing medically approved protocols and evidence based
medicine order sets.
Nursing documentation begins during the patient’s initial contact and continues for the duration of the patients stay. The great thing about the electronic
method of documentation is that it’s readily available to all. No more searching for the chart, or waiting your turn to access the information contained in the
chart. With the chart being electronic the whole care team can view the patient’s information simultaneously. The documentation is legible and more extensive.
Charges can be generated, based on the care that is given which later substantiates improved patient billing.
Patient care progress can be visually tracked by the utilization of a board tracker that uses color based indicators to alert the team to the completion of
predefined tests and procedures. This allows the physician to continue the patient’s treatment and disposition the patient without delay.
Computerized Physician Order Entry
Once the physician evaluates the patient, they access the ordering system, modify the appropriate order sets, add any additional order sets, test, or procedures
needed to treat and diagnose the patient. This methodology is similar to how things are done in the paper world with one exception; the orders do not have to
wait in a chart rack to be transcribed and entered by the Unit Clerk. In the case of the pharmacy, orders will not have to wait to be faxed or scanned by the
pharmacy staff. This is a huge time saver in the patient care process, which can increase physician satisfaction for both the emergency room physician, and the
potential admitting physician.
An electronic emergency room decreases the time waiting for diagnostic, laboratory, and other procedures. Another benefit is improved and legible patient care
documentation, with automated charging which is based on actual patient care. The end result is an improved patient turnaround time, and a happy patient. Faster
turnaround time increase the number of patient visits and throughput in the emergency room, which in turn increases the hospital’s return on the investment. And
let’s not forget that implementing EDM and CPOE positions the hospital to receive ARRA funds!
For more information about EDM and/or CPOE call us at 610.444.1233 or email us at vcs@getvitalized.com. You can also
find more information about VCS’ services and solutions by visiting our website at www.getvitalized.com.