Final answer:
Computerized physician/provider order entry (CPOE) allows healthcare providers to directly enter medical orders into a computer system, enhancing the sharing of digital records, efficiency, and patient care while safeguarding the privacy of electronic health records.
Step-by-step explanation:
Computerized physician/provider order entry (CPOE) is a healthcare technology system that permits direct entry of medical orders by a health care provider. CPOE systems are designed to replace traditional methods of placing orders, including written, verbal, and faxed prescriptions. By allowing providers to enter orders directly into an electronic system, CPOE can help reduce medication errors, streamline workflows, and facilitate sharing of digital records among health providers, thereby improving healthcare quality and potentially reducing costs.
In the context of the U.S. healthcare system, the transition to digital records and use of systems like CPOE is also linked to concerns about the privacy of electronic healthcare records. Strict regulations, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), have been implemented to ensure the confidentiality and security of patients' health information in electronic formats.