Computerized Physician Order Entry Reduces Medication Turnaround Time of Labor Induction Agents

Abstract

We sought to determine whether computerized physician order entry (CPOE) improves the induction agent turnaround time on the labor and delivery unit (L&D) compared with paper-based order entry (PBOE). We conducted a retrospective study of singleton, term pregnancies admitted to L&D for induction of labor. Outcomes of women who delivered 3 months before or 3 months after universal CPOE implementation were compared including induction agent turnaround time. The induction agent turnaround time was significantly shorter in the CPOE group ( N = 83) compared with PBOE group ( N = 71) [71 (range 8 to 411) versus 100 (2 to 442) minutes, P = 0.004]. There were no differences in cesarean section rate or length of hospital stay. After controlling for time of day of induction, induction agent, and type of order entry, CPOE continued to significantly decrease the induction agent turnaround time by 25 minutes ( P = 0.042). CPOE improved the process of induction of labor and efficiency of care of pregnant women.