Tennessee posted the second best improvement among states last year in use of computers by doctors to send prescriptions electronically to pharmacists, according to the latest ranking by the nation’s largest e-prescribing network.
Overall, health-care providers statewide issued more than 1.78 million electronic prescriptions in 2008, representing more than 4 percent of prescriptions eligible to be sent electronically. That increase helped the state to jump 11 spots to 18th from 29th in the state-by-state ranking by Surescripts based on volume through its network.
Analysts attribute the improvement to state-led efforts that encouraged dialogue between physicians and pharmacists at the community level and educated about the benefits of e-prescribing including improving patient safety. “It’s our hope to see e-prescribing become a natural part of every health-care provider’s workflow because of its practical benefits to patients in providing better care,” said Gov. Phil Bredesen, who received an award on behalf of the state at an event in Washington on Monday.
Near national average
Vermont posted the most improvement in electronic prescribing nationwide last year. Illinois, Kansas and Missouri were the other states that rounded out the top five.
Tennessee’s 4.02 percent of prescriptions sent electronically is similar to the national average. Surescripts expects volume to continue to grow nationwide from Medicare and private insurers paying doctors more to e-prescribe and President Barack Obama’s plans to spend billions more to encourage more doctors to adopt electronic health records.
Tennessee finished 2008 with 1,605 electronic prescribers, a 144 percent jump from the previous year. About 1,120 pharmacies statewide accept prescriptions electronically.
Margot Seay, state president for the AARP, was among volunteers from the group to participate in the state’s training sessions on how e-prescribing works.
“It certainly will cut down on delays in getting prescriptions filled,” she said Monday. “And I think it will be safer for consumers — cutting down on errors and bad drug interactions.”
Getahn Ward covers the business of health care. He can be reached at 726-5968 or at
Above article published on http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090623/BUSINESS01/906230320/1003/BUSINESS/Tennessee+posts+big+gains+in+electronic+prescriptions
Tags: E-Prescribing, Electronic Prescribing, Electronic Prescription USA, electronic prescriptions
Posted June 24, 2009 by admin under E-Prescription, Electronic Prescription
