Skip to main content
Log in

The potential role of computerisation and information technology in improving prescribing in hospitals

  • Commentary
  • Published:
Pharmacy World and Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

For physicians, prescribing of drugs is one of the most common actions in daily practice. In the continuum prescribing, dispensing, administration and use of drugs, failures may occur and can lead to patient harm. The use of computerised physician order entry systems is subject to much discussion regarding medication error reduction. This commentary analyses the issues where such systems can contribute to improved care.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

References

  1. JGR Ufkes, R-P Koopmans, H-J Guchelaar, FJ Venema. Farmacotherapie op recept; een leidraad bij het uitschrijven van recepten. [Pharmacotherapy by prescription; a guidance for making medication orders.] Alphen aan de Rijn, The Netherlands: Van Zuiden Communications, 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  2. De Vries TPGM, Henning RH, Hogerzeil HV, Fresle DA. Guide to good prescribing; a practical manual. Geneva: WHO,1995.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Hartwig SC, Denger SD, Schneider PJ. Severity-indexed, incident report-based medication error-reporting program. Am J Hosp Pharm 1991; 48: 2611–6.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Leape LL, Bates DW, Cullen DJ et al. System analysis of adverse events. JAMA 1995; 274: 35–43.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Van den Bemt PMLA, Egberts AE de Jong-van den Berg LTW, Brouwers JRBJ. Drug-related problems in hospitalised patients. Drug Safety 2000; 22(4): 321–33

    Google Scholar 

  6. Institute for Safe Medication Practices. A call to action: eliminate handwritten prescriptions within 3 years. April 2000

  7. Kalmeijer MD, Holtzer W, van Dongen R, Guchelaar H-J. Implementation of a computerized physician medication order entry system at the Academic Medical Centre in Amsterdam. Pharm Word Sci 2003; 25(3): 88–93 (this issue).

    Google Scholar 

  8. Derijks HJ, Oosterhuis WP, de Koning GHP, Egberts ACG. Een nieuwe dimensie in medicatiebegeleiding. [A new dimension in medication surveillance. Drug utilisation related to clinical chemical parameters.] Pharm Weekbl 2002; 137(19): 691–6.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Hazlet TK, Lee TA, Hansten PhD, Horn JR. Performance of community pharmacy drug interaction software. J Am Pharm Assoc 2001; 41(2): 200–4.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Guchelaar, HJ., Kalmeijer, M. The potential role of computerisation and information technology in improving prescribing in hospitals. Pharm World Sci 25, 83–87 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024011111881

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024011111881

Navigation