Impact of Computerized Provider Order Entry on Chemotherapy Medication Errors: A Systematic Review

Chemotherapy errors are considered the second most common cause of fatal medication errors (ME). Currently, computerized provider order entry (CPOE) is increasingly used to prevent or decrease ME and improve the safety of the medication process.

This study was conducted to systematically review the impacts of CPOE on the incidence of chemotherapy ME, the severity of errors, and adverse drug events (ADEs) in cancer care units. Data Sources: The literature search was conducted, using 5 databases of PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect between 2000 and 2020. Search terms included keywords and MESH terms related to CPOE, ME, chemotherapy, and cancer care unit. Study Selection: Articles were included in this research if they investigated the CPOE system, reported ME, and were carried out in the oncology department. Non-English papers, duplications, review studies, and conference papers were excluded. Data Extraction: The selected papers were read repeatedly and related papers were extracted. All eligible articles were qualitatively evaluated with a tool provided by Downs. The extracted information included the author’s name, year of publication, study location, type of study, study objectives, and main findings.

A total of 829 studies were retrieved. Fourteen articles met the inclusion criteria. Ten studies (71%) reported the impact of CPOE on chemotherapy ME in comparison with the paper-based ordering method. In 4 studies (29%), researchers developed a CPOE for the oncology department, and the system was, then, assessed concerning user experience, safety challenges as well as the effects of CPOE on ME. Nine articles (64%) reported the impact of the CPOE system on ME only in the prescribing phase, and 5 studies (36%) examined ME in all phases of the chemotherapy process. Five studies (36%) reported the impact of the CPOE system on ADEs and the severity of errors.

Implementing CPOE is associated with a significant reduction in ME in all phases of the chemotherapy process. However, the CPOE does not prevent all MEs and may cause new errors. The rigorous analysis of the chemotherapy process and considering the designing principles could help develop the CPOE systems and minimize ME.