Effects of Guideline-based Computerized Provider Order Entry Systems on the Chemotherapy Order Process: a Systematic Review

BACKGROUND: Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE) systems developed based on clinical guidelines are believed to greatly reduce chemotherapy medication prescription errors. OBJECTIVE: The present study reviewed the effects of guideline-based CPOEs on the chemotherapy order process. METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore databases published up to 1 June 2020 were systematically searched for studies investigating the effect of guideline-based CPOEs on the chemotherapy order process. Moreover, the bibliography of relevant retrieved publications was also checked. RESULTS: Nineteen articles from the five databases met the eligibility criteria and were reviewed. Eleven out of 19 (58%) articles investigated the effect of CPOEs on medication errors, and other studies examined other aspects of CPOE efficacy, including time required for chemotherapy prescriptions; Safety, policy compliance and communication between health care providers; physicians prescribing behavior; quality and safety of treatment; workflow; direct patient care time; and adherence to guidelines. In addition, 15 out of 19 mentioned the use of specific clinical guidelines. CONCLUSION: Evidence indicates CPOEs can positively affect the quality of healthcare service delivery for cancer patients, but there is still a dearth of clinical outcome evaluation data about the effects of these systems on patients undergoing chemotherapy. Moreover, there is limited information about guideline compliance errors, which highlights the needs for further research in this area.