Beginning in 2012, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts (Boston) will require all physicians and hospitals participating in its quality incentive program to implement and utilize CPOE systems when requesting tests, drugs and other forms of treatment.
The new mandate aims to improve patient safety and care, streamline workflow and reduce costs by eliminating medication errors and delayed receipt of necessary patient records, the company says.
The decision was based largely on the success of the Massachusetts Hospital CPOE Initiative, which estimates an annual savings of $2.7 million per hospital, with a total savings of $170 million per year throughout the state, according to the company.
