When you write a new medication order, Order Entry checks the new drug against any existing medication orders to determine if the two together qualify as duplicate therapies. Duplicate therapy is defined as the concurrent administration of two or more medications that either increases the potential for adverse effects, or does not benefit the patient more than giving fewer drugs. The check for duplicate therapies is independent of interventions against drug-drug interactions (DDIs) and allergies.
Multiple duplicate therapies between a new medication and more than one existing medication order are presented in a single warning window. That is, if a new medication order invokes a duplicate therapy intervention against more than one existing medication, you must cancel the new order or handle each existing order separately from the single warning window. If there are many orders that trigger the intervention, you will have to scroll down to view every order.
Ordering an override—You must provide a reason if you override the intervention and order treatments that trigger the duplicate therapy alert. The summary views of the orders are flagged with <DuTx>, and the intervention and override are documented in the order details. These summary views are displayed in POE and in the eMAR (electronic mediation administration record) for the patient.
The initial implementation of Duplicate Therapy Checking will only monitor for currently approved Partners enterprise duplicate therapy classes. POE will not alert providers to all medication orders that might be potential duplicate therapies. When you order medications, be vigilant for potential for duplicate therapy.
Medications ordered for one-time (X1) or as needed (PRN) treatment are not checked. In addition, medications ordered from treatment templates are not checked. When you order medications from templates, be vigilant for potential for duplicate therapy.
Duplicate Medication Checking—Medication orders are also checked for duplication. Duplicates are orders for the exact same medication, administered by the exact same route. If a duplicate medication is included in the currently approved Partners enterprise duplicate therapy classes, the duplicate therapy alert takes precedence, and the duplicate order alert is not triggered.
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