Análisis de las preferencias de los profesionales sanitarios respecto a la prescripción electrónica de tratamientos farmacológicos en pacientes hospitalizados / Health personnel assessment about medical order entry systems of pharmacologic treatments in hospitalized patients

Objetivo. Evaluar preferencias de profesionales sanitarios acerca de la prescripción electrónica (PE) sobre las condiciones de trabajo, riesgo de errores de medicación y utilidad de ventajas aportadas por este sistema. Material y métodos. Estudio transversal mediante entrevista a una muestra de usuarios de PE en un hospital terciario. El cuestionario se estructuró en 3 categorías para valorar: su repercusión en la carga de trabajo, en el riesgo de errores de medicación y sus ventajas teóricas, inconvenientes y sugerencias. Resultados. Participaron 76 profesionales (58 médicos, 9 farmacéuticos y 9 DUE). Sobre su repercusión en la rutina lo mejor valorado fue la reducción de la carga de trabajo y el tiempo empleado (bueno o muy bueno para el 85,5%; IC 95%: 75,5-92,5). Opinaron que la reducción de errores se debía principalmente a soportes de ayuda predefinidos. Las ventajas mejor valoradas fueron: legibilidad y alertas (las consideraron positivamente un 98,7% [IC 95%: 92,9-99,9] y 97,4% [IC 95%:90,81-99,68]). Estimaron como principales inconvenientes los tecnológicos: excesiva dependencia, falta de equipos y fallos informáticos, así como la falta de continuidad farmacoterapéutica entre las distintas unidades de hospitalización durante el ingreso. La necesidad de unificación entre aplicaciones informáticas del hospital fue la sugerencia de mejora más repetida. Conclusión. Los profesionales sanitarios manifestaron un alto grado de satisfacción sobre la PE, a la que consideraron eficaz y segura. Como principal inconveniente destacaron la dependencia de la tecnología y falta de infraestructura. También opinaron que sería deseable una mayor integración entre las distintas aplicaciones informáticas (AU)

Objective: to evaluate health personnel perceptions about medical order entry systems concerning the effect on workflow, medication errors risk and assessment of its potential advantages. Material and methods: A cross-section opinion interview was conducted in a tertiary care hospital. Questionnaire consisted of three sections: perception of its effect on workflow, influence on medication error risk and assessment of potential advantages. We also asked them to assess drawbacks and provide suggestions about this prescription system. Results: 76 health professionals were interviewed (58 physicians, 9 pharmacists and 9 nurses). They were satisfied mainly due to decrease the workload (85.5%; IC 95%: 75.58-92.55). They thought that the main characteristics that contribute to reduce medication errors are clinical decision supports related to predefined aspects which the program provided by default. Among potential benefits of medical order entry systems, legibility and warnings triggered by the program (98.7%; IC 95%: 92.90-99.97 and 97,4%; IC 95%: 90.81-99.68 respectively) were the most valuable. High technology dependence, IT failures and lack of infrastructure and medication therapy discontinuities at times of transition between different hospitals’ units were the main drawbacks considered. The most repeated suggestion was related to the improvement of links between other health informatics applications used in the hospital. Conclusion: health personnel were highly satisfied with the CPOE system, which is considered to be effective and safe. Technology dependence and IT failures were the main disadvantages reported. According to them, a greater coordination and unification of all software applications available in the hospital would be desirable (AU)

[Health personnel assessment about medical order entry systems of pharmacologic treatments in hospitalized patients]. / Análisis de las preferencias de los profesionales sanitarios respecto a la prescripción electrónica de tratamientos farmacológicos en pacientes hospitalizados.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate health personnel perceptions about medical order entry systems concerning the effect on workflow, medication errors risk and assessment of its potential advantages. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-section opinion interview was conducted in a tertiary care hospital. Questionnaire consisted of three sections: perception of its effect on workflow, influence on medication error risk and assessment of potential advantages. We also asked them to assess drawbacks and provide suggestions about this prescription system. RESULTS: 76 health professionals were interviewed (58 physicians, 9 pharmacists and 9 nurses). They were satisfied mainly due to decrease the workload (85.5%; IC 95%: 75.58-92.55). They thought that the main characteristics that contribute to reduce medication errors are clinical decision supports related to predefined aspects which the program provided by default. Among potential benefits of medical order entry systems, legibility and warnings triggered by the program (98.7%; IC 95%: 92.90-99.97 and 97,4%; IC 95%: 90.81-99.68 respectively) were the most valuable. High technology dependence, IT failures and lack of infrastructure and medication therapy discontinuities at times of transition between different hospitals' units were the main drawbacks considered. The most repeated suggestion was related to the improvement of links between other health informatics applications used in the hospital. CONCLUSION: health personnel were highly satisfied with the CPOE system, which is considered to be effective and safe. Technology dependence and IT failures were the main disadvantages reported. According to them, a greater coordination and unification of all software applications available in the hospital would be desirable.