Physicians Failed to Write Flawless Prescriptions When Computerized Physician Order Entry System Crashed

The unintentional shutdown of a long-running CPOE system revealed that physicians fail to handwrite flawless prescriptions in the digital era. The contingency plans for computer disasters at health care facilities might include preparation of stand-alone e-prescribing software so that the service delay could be kept to the minimum. However, guidance on prescribing should remain an essential part of medical education.