MA Hospital CPOE Initiative hosts education program on April 2, 2008

CPOE 101: Foundations for a Successful Implementation
Ann Walsh of Navin, Haffty & Associates, LLC

Above: Speaker Ann Walsh Below: Audience members

On April 2, 2008 the Massachusetts Hospital CPOE Initiative, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Hospital Association, the Massachusetts Council on Community Hospitals and the Massachusetts Medical Society, sponsored a one-day educational program addressing the key strategies and common misconceptions about the implementation of Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE). This program was specifically designed to meet the needs of hospitals that were just in the beginning phases and or preparation for CPOE to ease the adoption of the technology, which saves lives and prevents medical errors. More than 75 participants from twenty-nine hospitals attended, with hospitals sending teams of physicians, nurses, pharmacists and Information officers.

The program focused on the fundamentals necessary for a successful approach to implementing CPOE, covering topics including:

• CPOE as a clinical initiative requiring the support and involvement of the senior leadership team, rather than solely an IT project
• Organizational culture
• Governance and scope of the project
• Budget and planning

Morton Hospital team

A CD containing all of the course materials as well as templates for Governance documents, project charters and Gantt charts were provided to each hospital.

Hospital executives are beginning to appreciate the vital role that physicians and clinicians play in preparing and rolling out CPOE. Programs such as CPOE 101 are filling a niche for hospitals that are looking for assistance about how to begin the process and move forward.

Additional education and peer learning exchanges are being planned. Continue to check back on our web site for additional course offerings and resources. Specific questions or comments should be emailed to gilboard@masstech.org.