LEARNING OUTCOME: The participant will describe the process involved in developing the dietetic component of a computerized order entry system.

Registered Dietitians worked with Information Management Specialists to plan and develop the dietetic component of the computerized order entry system for a health care network. No commercial product met the needs of the organization. A decision was made to revise the in-house system used in one of the teaching hospitals: to rebuild it using newer technology that could interface with ancillary departments' systems, to meet our hospital's needs and to produce software that could be marketed commercially. The process involved the following steps:

– Creating work flow diagrams of the current diet order process.

– Designing and developing computer screens for ordering oral diets and enteral feedings.

– Meeting goals that included: the physician as the end user; the ability to handle every diet order; user-friendliness and ease of operation with logical flow of information; minimal number of steps for order entry; the ability to interface with the diet office system.

The expected outcomes are increased efficiency, improved accuracy, and better flow of information to all customers involved.