Computerised Provider Order-Entry Systems

ECRI (formerly the Emergency Care Research Institute) is a nonprofit health services research agency and a Collaborating Centre of the World Health Organization (WHO). Such organisations are appointed to contribute to the WHO’s public health mission by providing specialised knowledge, expertise and support in the health field to the WHO and its member nations. ECRI's mission is to improve the safety, quality, and cost-effectiveness of healthcare. It is widely recognised as one of the world's leading independent organisations committed to advancing the quality of healthcare with over 240 employees globally.

ECRI's focus is healthcare technology, healthcare risk and quality management, patient safety improvement and healthcare environmental management. It provides information services and technical assistance to more than 5,000 hospitals, healthcare organisations, ministries of health, government and planning agencies, voluntary sector organisations, associations, and accrediting agencies worldwide. Its more than 30 databases, publications, information services, and technical assistance services set the standard for the healthcare community.

ECRI's services alert readers to healthcare system and technology- related hazards with strategies to correct them; disseminate the results of medical product evaluations and health technology assessments; provide expert advice on technology acquisitions, staffing, and management; report on hazardous materials management policy and practices;

and supply authoritative information on risk control in healthcare facilities and clinical practice guidelines and standards.

Amongst its many products and services, ECRI is pleased to provide the readers of Healthcare IT Management with sample information on products for computerized provider order-entry systems (CPOE) from its Healthcare Product Comparison System (HPCS), which contains over 280 reports. This Product Comparison covers networked computerised provider order-entry systems that allow authorised users to assign tasks to specific healthcare workers and to enter orders online. Included are systems that are capable of bidirectional communication with pharmacy, clinical laboratory, and radiology information systems.

This extract from the ECRI database contains model by model specifications for easy assessment and review and also includes ECRI’s “Recommended Specifications” (generic templates) which can be used for comparison and tendering purposes.

The data presented are extracted from ECRI’s 2005 database and have additionally been reviewed and updated, where possible, by the respective manufacturers. Publication of all submitted data is not possible: for further information please contact ECRI or [email protected].