The rate of electronic prescribing in upstate New York increased from 12% in 2009 to 17% in the first quarter of this year, a new report by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield found, Healthcare IT News reports (Merrill, Healthcare IT News, 7/15).
The report also concluded that the percentage of physicians across the U.S. who use the technology doubled from 2008 to 2009, the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reports.
Benefits of E-Prescribing Systems
E-prescribing systems transmit prescriptions from the health care provider directly to pharmacies.
The report found that use of the systems by every upstate New York physician would prevent two million adverse reactions or events annually, including:
- 35 deaths;
- 160 permanent disabilities;
- 400 hospitalizations; and
- 3,000 physician consultations.
In addition, the report found that greater use of the technology overall would:
- Increase the use of more cost-efficient drugs;
- Provide greater security;
- Limit “doctor shopping” and illegal prescription practices;
- Boost efficiency for physicians, patients and pharmacies; and
- Save money for insurers (Matthews, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, 7/15).
Predicted Increase in Use
On an annual basis, 3.6 million new and renewed prescriptions are handled regionally using the technology. That number is likely to grow as the systems become more affordable and as government incentives to spur the use of health IT take effect, the report predicted.
Tags: Certified Prescription, E-Prescribing, E-Prescribing Systems, E-Prescription, Electronic Prescription
Posted August 4, 2010 by admin under E-Prescription, EHR, EMR, Electronic Prescription
