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Part 5: Data Entry & EHR Mastery (New Track)
Module 20: Cerner (Millennium/PharmNet) — Order Entry & Verification
You have developed a robust, system-agnostic foundation and have applied it within two major EHR ecosystems. In this final module of the EHR Mastery track, we complete your training by translating your expertise to the third major player in the inpatient world: Cerner. This module will solidify your status as a truly adaptable and versatile practitioner. We will deconstruct the Cerner Millennium architecture and its pharmacy component, PharmNet, demonstrating once again that while the interface and terminology change, the core principles of safe medication verification remain constant.
A Different Engine, The Same Destination
If learning Epic was like mastering a modern sedan and Meditech was like adapting to a classic, reliable truck, then learning Cerner is like getting behind the wheel of a high-performance European sports car. The ultimate goal—safe and efficient transportation—is the same. The core components are all there: an engine, a steering wheel, and brakes. However, the design philosophy, the driver’s interface, and the way the systems interact feel distinctly different.
Cerner’s architecture, built around “PowerPlans” and a highly integrated pharmacy module (PharmNet), offers immense power and customization, but it requires the user to understand its unique patterns and logic. The “start button” might be in a new place, the “gear shifter” might have a different feel, and the “dashboard” (the verification screen) will present familiar data in a new layout. This module is your advanced driver’s education for this powerful machine.
By the end of this module, you will be a “tri-lingual” EHR expert, capable of seamlessly transitioning between the three dominant platforms in American healthcare. This versatility not only makes you an incredibly valuable asset to any health system but also gives you the confidence to know that no matter the digital environment, your core clinical skills will always be the driving force behind patient safety.
What This Module Will Teach You
This module provides a guided tour of the essential Cerner Millennium and PharmNet workflows for the inpatient pharmacist.
Ordering & Verification Concepts
You will learn to navigate the core verification workflow in PharmNet, understand the structure of PowerPlans (order sets), and master the nuances of modifying, discontinuing, and holding orders.
Alerts & Clinical Decision Support
We will cover how to interpret Cerner’s interruptive and informational alerts, properly document your clinical rationale for overrides, and troubleshoot complex allergy and cross-sensitivity warnings.
Dispense Routing & ADC
This section focuses on how product selection in PharmNet dictates dispense location (ADC vs. Central) and how to manage kit/set dispensing and troubleshoot ADC discrepancies.
IV & Compound Workflow
You will learn how Cerner handles sterile product preparation, including the importance of standard concentration selection, how it generates batching cues for technicians, and how to perform label checks.
Common Cerner Pitfalls
Learn to spot and prevent the most common errors specific to the Cerner workflow, such as misinterpreting order modes (STAT vs. NOW), catching duplicate therapies hidden in different PowerPlans, and ensuring PRN orders have clear indications.
Guided Practice Set
You will apply your skills in a series of guided practice scenarios within a simulated Cerner environment, building confidence with critical workflows like pre-operative antibiotic timing, standardizing norepinephrine infusions, and managing insulin protocols.
