Cedars-Sinai physicians cautious; hospital suspends system. (Physician Order Entry).

Interest in physician order entry systems is soaring, but some healthcare systems adapt more slowly than others. In contrast to reports of computerized order entry (CPOE) system successes in large hospitals such as Brigham and Women's and Boston Medical Center, the largest hospital in the Western U.S. in January announced it is suspending use of its CPOE.

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles first rolled out its Patient Care Expert system in October but stopped using it after physicians complained that it was endangering patient safety. According to reports in the Los Angeles Times, physicians experienced problems ordering medication, tests and supplies using the software. They said the system's complexity caused delays, inconveniences and some imprecise entries, but there have been no deaths or permanent injuries.

The hospital did not have a timeline for when the system would be corrected and go back online, but California law requires providers to implement automated systems for reducing medical and medication errors by 2005.