A new study reveals that electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) significantly reduces medication and medical errors, leading to improved patient safety. Implementing computerized physician order entry (CPOE) systems in healthcare settings can help mitigate risks associated with traditional paper prescriptions, especially in the context of COVID-19. Medication error reduction using e-prescriptions could save your practice lots of time.
Indications Affected
This research is relevant to any healthcare setting where medications are prescribed, including hospitals, clinics, and outpatient facilities. The primary focus is on reducing medication errors and adverse drug events (ADEs), which are common in all areas of healthcare.
The Benefit
The study found that e-prescribing systems can reduce medication errors by up to 99% and adverse drug events by up to 84%. These systems also improve the accuracy of dosing and minimize the risk of harmful drug interactions.
Using E-Prescritions to reduce Medication Errors in Your Practice
1. Choose the Right System:
CPOE with Clinical Decision Support (CDS): Select an e-prescribing system that includes robust CDS features to provide real-time alerts for potential errors, such as incorrect dosages or dangerous drug interactions. At the bottom of this post, we’ve included an overview of e-prescribing systems for you to consider.
2. Training and Adoption:
Staff Training: Ensure that all healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, receive comprehensive training on how to use the new system effectively.
Continuous Support: Provide ongoing technical support and refresher training sessions to maintain high usage rates and address any issues promptly.
3. Integration with Existing Systems:
Electronic Health Records (EHR): Integrate the e-prescribing system with your EHR to streamline workflows and ensure that patient data is consistently updated across all platforms.
Interoperability: Ensure that the system can communicate with other healthcare systems, such as pharmacies and labs, to facilitate seamless information exchange.
4. Monitoring and Evaluation:
Regular Audits: Conduct regular audits to monitor the system’s performance and identify areas for improvement.
Patient Feedback: Collect feedback from patients regarding their experiences with the new system to ensure it meets their needs and improves their overall care experience.
Next Steps / How to Learn More
Vendor Consultations: Schedule consultations with potential vendors to understand the capabilities and limitations of different e-prescribing systems.
Pilot Programs: Implement a pilot program to test the system in a controlled environment before rolling it out fully.
Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with the latest research and developments in e-prescribing technology by attending industry conferences and subscribing to relevant journals.
Who Wrote It
The study was conducted by a team from Birjand University of Medical Sciences and the National Center for Health Insurance Research in Iran. Key contributors include F. Osmani, M. Arab-Zozani, Z. Shahali, and F. Lotfi.
Link to Original Article: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003450922001602
Top e-Prescription Vendors for 2024
Implementing an e-prescribing system can significantly enhance the efficiency and accuracy of your practice. Here are some of the top e-prescribing vendors for 2024, each offering unique features tailored to various healthcare needs:
Qualifacts Systems
Best for Behavioral Health Professionals: Designed specifically for behavioral health, it offers real-time data reporting, customizable documentation, and integration with billing and telehealth services.
Pricing: Starts at $500/user/month (billed annually).
Pros: Tailored for behavioral health, robust integration, real-time data reporting.
Cons: Higher price point, potentially overwhelming interface for new users (The Medical Practice) (SelectHub).
NextGen Healthcare
Best for Comprehensive Healthcare Management: Offers a wide array of features including EHR, practice management, patient portal, and robust analytics.
Pricing: Starts at $299/user/month (billed annually).
Pros: Comprehensive solutions, robust analytics, seamless integration with various systems.
Cons: Costly for smaller practices, less intuitive interface for some users (TheCconnects) (SelectHub).
ChartLogic
Best for e-Prescribing Module: Known for its advanced medical charting and e-prescribing capabilities, it simplifies the prescription process and ensures secure transmission to pharmacies.
Pricing: Starts at $279/user/month (billed annually).
Pros: Effective e-prescribing module, detailed medical records, seamless practice management integration.
Cons: Steep pricing, learning curve for full feature utilization (The Medical Practice).
Kareo
Best for User-Friendly Interface: Offers a cloud-based platform with EHR, practice management, and e-prescribing features designed for ease of use.
Pricing: Available on request.
Pros: User-friendly interface, integrated billing and scheduling, mobile app for providers.
Cons: Occasional technical support challenges, some customization limitations (Top Biz Partners).
Athenahealth
Best for Integrated Solutions: Provides cloud-based healthcare solutions with integrated e-prescribing, medical billing, and practice management tools.
Pricing: Starts at $550/provider/month.
Pros: Comprehensive integration, robust billing and management tools, strong analytics.
Cons: Higher cost, requires training for effective use (TheCconnects).
RXNT
Best for Overall Efficiency: Offers a comprehensive suite including e-prescribing, EHR, and practice management to streamline healthcare operations.
Pricing: Available on request.
Pros: Full healthcare suite, strong interoperability, EPCS support.
Cons: Pricing details not readily available, potential learning curve (TheCconnects) (Top Biz Partners).
MDToolbox
Best for Customization: Provides customizable templates and robust e-prescribing features aimed at improving patient care and reducing medication errors.
Pricing: Available on request.
Pros: Customizable, mobile app for prescribers, medication history access.
Cons: Higher initial learning curve, pricing details not readily available (Top Biz Partners).
When selecting an e-prescribing vendor, consider the specific needs of your practice, such as the level of integration required, user-friendliness, and budget. Each of these vendors offers distinct advantages that can help enhance the efficiency and safety of your prescription processes.
Link to Original Article: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003450922001602
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