The shift in workarounds upon implementation of computerized physician order entry.

Workarounds are working processes deviating from formal rules or intended work methods to smooth workflow and circumvent problems without eliminating them. Former research focused on workarounds in the medication use process after implementation of computerized physician order entry (CPOE). This study on 2 wards of a general hospital shows that workarounds exist in both paper-based and electronic prescribing systems. After CPOE implementation workarounds present in the paper-based system had disappeared or remained existent, and new ones had emerged.