Piedmont Hospital

Piedmont Hospital, a private, not-for-profit, 481-bed facility, located in Atlanta, GA, has a variety of health information technologies, including an electronic medical record system, pharmacy robotics, and computerized physician order entry (CPOE). The use of CPOE has brought about dramatic improvements in patient safety and the quality of care.

To develop its CPOE system, Piedmont approached and engaged physicians early in the implementation process. Involving physicians in all phases of the implementation process proved to be essential in achieving 100 percent adoption.

Results

• Since implementation, Piedmont has seen a 6% reduction in unadjusted mortality over a three-year period.
• Piedmont has also reduced medication errors by nearly 90%, from 5.5 per 10,000 doses dispensed to 0.9 per 10,000 doses dispensed.

***Submitted by Connie F. Whittington, MSN, RN, ONC, VP Patient Care Services & CNO, Piedmont Hospital

Published: January 26, 2009