Barriers, facilitators and needs in the use of an electronic ordering system in a hospital in Buenos Aires

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Using a computer system for electronic orders of studies and procedures (computerized physician order entry,CPOE) brings numerous benefits related to quality of care. However, there are difficulties in achieving full adherence. The objective of this studywas to identify barriers, facilitators and needs in the use of CPOE by physicians, applying the socio-technical model as a framework. METHODS:Semi-structured interviews were conducted with physicians at “Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires”. The sampling was non-probabilistic forconvenience, including 5 physicians for each of the 6 services that carried out the most orders of studies and procedures. RESULTS: The barriersidentified were problems to search for the right terms, the lack of validity of electronic orders in certain health insurance coverages and theperception of physicians about the need for some patients to take the order written on paper. The use of system features, which streamlinetasks, was identified as a facilitator. Regarding the needs, the physicians suggested to add information to the system. DISCUSSION: Thesefindings account for the variety of factors that affect the implementation of this type of IT tools in the digital era, as well as the importance ofpost-implementation assessment and continuous exploration to meet user needs.