Detecting workflow changes after a CPOE implementation: a sequential pattern analysis approach.

Implementation of CPOE can cause dramatic changes to clinical workflow. We used a sequential pattern analysis approach to analyze time-motion data collected before and after a CPOE implementation in a pediatric intensive care unit. We visualized workflow changes to detect pattern shifting associated with a changed sequential order of performing various clinical tasks. CPOE implementation may increase the frequency of task changing which may not be evident from looking at the sum of overall times.