Facts: Computerized Physician Order Entry

computer application that supports the electronic entry by physicians of patient orders for diagnostic and treatment services, such as medications, laboratory and other tests. It compares new orders against standards for dosing, checks for allergies or interactions with other drugs and flags potential problems. Thus, CPOE goes well beyond replacing paper orders with electronic ones — it makes relevant information available at the time of ordering and applies rulesbased logic to help the physician make optimal ordering decisions.