Experience with IntelliDose: An outpatient computer order entry system

Abstract

6081 Background: The elimination of errors related to chemotherapy administration remains an elusive goal. Computerized order entry has been shown to reduce errors. We studied whether errors related to calculations, decimal points, handwriting, cumulative dosing and maximum safe dose could be eliminated using computerized order entry. The time required to produce chemotherapy order sets by hand or by computer was also assessed. Methods: A retrospective study of all patients treated with chemotherapy over a six month period was performed. Chemotherapy order sets done via computerized order entry were assessed for correct drug, dose, decimal point errors, cumulative dose errors and a user set maximum safe dose. The time required to produce 10 orders by hand or with computer order entry was measured. Results: Ninety-one patients received 390 cycles of chemotherapy using 21 different treatment regimens. There were no errors in dose calculations, decimal points, or drug administration. In no instance did the calculated dose exceed the maximum safe dose or the cumulative dose limit. The average time saved per order set using computer order entry was 10 minutes. Conclusions: Using computer order entry with error checking algorithms, it may be possible to eliminate a number of types of errors associated with chemotherapy administration without sacrificing efficiency. Author Disclosure Employment or Leadership Consultant or Advisory Role Stock Ownership Honoraria Research Funding Expert Testimony Other Remuneration IntrinsiQ Research