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(DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.) -- Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center (FHMMC) has gone live with Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE), a computer application that accepts physician orders electronically, replacing hand-written orders on an order sheet or prescription pad. After six months of information sessions, practice runs and one-on-one training, the new system has launched successfully throughout the hospital.

“We’re extremely excited for the greater efficiencies and improved safety that CPOE will bring to our patients,” remarked Mark LaRose, President and CEO at FHMMC. “Our entire team of physicians and staff members have worked relentlessly to make this vision a reality.”

Only 4 percent of hospitals across the nation have implemented CPOE at this level, due in part to the difficulty and high cost of such a massive organizational undertaking. The total cost of the electronic system from three and a half years ago to today is approximately $20-$22 million, with approximately $6 million in labor costs. The remaining $14-$16 million represents the cost of computers, software and other systems required for the electronic operation.

FHMMC is the third Florida Hospital campus in Volusia county to adopt the system, but Chief Medical Officer, Ron Jimenez, anticipates that many others will follow suit.

“CPOE is just the beginning of a new era of health care,” Jimenez said. “It’s not a matter of if other hospitals will adopt it, it’s only a question of when they will. All the credit goes to our physicians and staff members for anticipating the future needs of our community and making the necessary changes.”

About Florida Hospital
Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center consists of two campuses, a 277-bed hospital in Daytona Beach and a 119-bed hospital in Ormond Beach. Our specialties include cardiology, emergency, hospice, home health, imaging, laboratory, oncology, obstetrics, neurology, physician practices, rehabilitation and women’s services. Florida Hospital Memorial was recently named one of America’s 50 Best hospitals for 2010 by HealthGrades®, an independent healthcare ratings organization. FHMMC is among the top one percent of all hospitals nationwide for quality outcomes. For more information about FHMMC, please visit www.floridahospitalmemorial.org.

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