Summary
Objectives:
To compare the outcome of the implementation of computerized physician order entry
(CPOE) systems in two Dutch hospitals.
Methods:
Qualitative research methods, including interviews in both hospitals, observations
of system in use, observations of staff meetings and document analysis were used to
understand the implementation of CPOE. The transcribed texts and implementation documents
were analyzed for relevant concepts.
The transcripts and field notes were analyzed using a heuristic success and failure
model with medical work as the primary focus.
Results:
Occasions that determined the outcome of the implementation were classified according
to factors that may influence the success or failure of implementing systems.
Conclusions:
The themes and patterns that emerged from the data helped validate the concept of
medical work as the primary focus of our analysis model; in addition the concept of
a support base necessary to accept changes in medical work that result from introducing
CPOE may help to understand the different implementation outcomes.
Keywords
Hospital information systems - online systems - com-puterized medical records systems
- computerized physician order entry - success and failure factors - qualitative research
