In this study, investigators took advantage of an unanticipated failure of a computerized provider order entry (CPOE) system—which necessitated a temporary switch back to paper-based orders—to evaluate physician perceptions of the usability and safety of CPOE compared to paper orders. The majority of respondents did not report safety concerns associated with this transition. Respondents actually preferred paper-based orders to CPOE, as they felt paper orders were more efficient to use and encouraged direct communication with nursing staff.