Cincinnati Children’s Case Study in Medication Management

Joe Luria, MD, Patient Safety Officer, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, describes specific examples of how the hospital’s computerized order entry system has been helpful in detecting and correcting adverse drug events. First, the system was reorganized to order a default stool softener when opiate medications are prescribed, leading to a decrease in opiate-related constipation. Second, the system is used to detect certain drug events daily; frontline leaders are notified and review these events. Mitigating strategies implemented are reviewed.