Effects of a Computerized Drug Order Review System. Executive Summary and Final Report

摘要

A quasi-experimental study was carried out to investigate the impact of a computerized drug prescription monitoring system (the MSIS Drug Exception Reporting System (DERS)) on clinicians' prescribing behaviors and their knowledge of pharmacotherapy. It was shown that such systems can have an impact on the prescribing behaviors of clinicians who work in institutional settings, acting to significantly reduce the number of orders written in exception to guidelines. On the other hand, only slight changes in clinicians' knowledge about pharmacotherapy were attributed to use of the DERS. Acceptance of the monitoring systems by clinicians was high, and throughout the study, clinicians retained the position that clinicians should be monitored and that guidelines are necessary. The DERS was integrated into a peer review process. Negative attitudes towards computers developed related to the use of the Drug Ordering System (DOS), the system which supports the DERS, as clinicians felt it complicated the method of drug ordering. Limitations were seen in the DERS by clinicians in terms of the guidelines in the system and the knowledge provided.