"Right now it takes me an average of 5 minutes to complete the process from start to finish. The one variable is the number of personal home medications a particular patient may take. These meds have to be entered in one at a time. If a patient has no home meds, I can complete a detailed admission order entry in less than 2 minutes soup to nuts. The best part is that I can do this from almost any computer that has Internet access and ChartLink loaded. I have done it from home many times, from my office, and even from Washington DC while there on a conference visit to CMS.

There is definitely a learning curve. My strong recommendation is that you make a firm commitment to the process and develop a good library of standing order sets. CPSI has made many great improvements in the process since I began with CPOE. I would also recommend that you develop a strong relationship with your hospital pharmacists as they can be very helpful and facilitate your process by developing medication profiles that fit your prescribing habits.

Honestly, I do not remember the last time I hand wrote an order. I do constantly massage the system and adjust my standing order sets and add new ones. The process becomes so routine you will soon wonder why you ever did it the old way."