Specific Aims

The uniqueness of the patient safety research group at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is the integration of human factors engineering and healthcare disciplines. This project builds on an existing interdisciplinary research network, and proposes to examine the value of Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE) technology in various domains (patient safety, quality of care, financial outcomes) and at various levels (unit, patient, end user) within the complex intensive care unit environment. The proposal also aims at using prospective human factors analysis methods for improving the design and implementation of CPOE, and at examining the impact of CPOE on end users. The human factors engineering approach to CPOE implementation in ICUs is unique, and because of its theoretical basis, can provide important information concepts and methods for improving the design and usage of CPOE in healthcare institutions.

Specific aim #1

Determine the effect of CPOE on safety and quality of care in six ICUs: Our study will examine the impact of CPOE on medication errors and ADEs (Adverse Drug Events), and a variety of measures of quality of care, including length of stay and mortality.

Specific aim #2

Determine the impact of CPOE on end users (physicians, nurses, pharmacists and respiratory therapists) in ICUs. Specific measures related to end users’ perceptions of and attitudes about CPOE and the CPOE change process will include:
1) CPOE characteristics (user-friendliness, usability, expectations and attitudes toward technology),
2) job characteristics (job control, workload, challenge, role ambiguity),
3) quality of working life-QWL (job satisfaction, stress, organizational commitment), and safety/quality of care, and
4) CPOE change process (employee involvement and participation, feedback, training and learning).

Specific aim #3

Determine the financial impact of CPOE implementation.

Specific aim #4

Examine the impact of prospective human factors analysis in CPOE implementation. This aim is qualitative and descriptive. Three human factors methods (work flow analysis, prospective risk analysis, and usability testing) will be used for identifying changes to CPOE design and implementation.

Funding

Project Title: CPOE Implementation in ICU's
Grant Number: R01 HS15274
Award amount: $ 1,460,000
Principal Investigators: Pascale Carayon, PhD, and Ken Wood, DO

For further information, please contact Randi Cartmill