How EMR Software and Electronic Prescriptions Work Together

The patients as well as the treating doctors are equally benefited by EMR software. When the prescriber can provide the prescription electronically to the pharmacy mistakes are reduced significantly and the quality of patient care increases exponentially. There is little room for error when the prescription is raised electronically and the patient is highly benefited.

At the moment, e-prescriptions via EMR software are not used as frequently as they should be. In USA alone 1.5 billion prescriptions are given by doctors every year. At the same time, in 2007 only 2% of those prescriptions were e-prescribed based on the Gorman Health Group for Pharmaceutical Care Management Association study. According to a survey thousands of health care facilities are using e-prescriptions but as compared to the demand and requirement it is very low. The study also determined that by 2017 more than 80% of prescriptions in the United States will probably be e-prescribed. As a result, millions of adverse drug effects will not occur in patients. In 2008 the number of prescriptions sent electronically has improved to 7%, according to Sure Scripts. The numbers are growing and as more health care professionals realize the benefits e-prescribing offers the numbers will grow even more.

For example, there are thousands of people that will die as a result of a prescription problems usually due to the prescription being illegible. There are other problems that occur and can cause prescription errors. These include not having records for prior medications, not providing enough information on drug/drug or drug/allergy interactions, as well as doctors and pharmacists not working jointly.

Electronic medical prescriptions (also known as e-prescriptions or e-prescribing) reduce many different potential problems. Medical errors are reduced significantly, patient safety and quality of care are improved, paperwork is phased out, patients' medical histories can be racked, saves time, increases performance, and many other health benefits.

While healthcare professionals can benefit significantly by using electronic medical records software and e-prescriptions many are initially concerned about making the change. As a result, providers who use this EMR software are going to receive EMR incentive payments from Medicare through 2014. The higher incentives are for 2010 and then will drop in 2011 and 2012 and then again in 2013. The goal is to inspire healthcare providers to go ahead and make the change now, rather than tomorrow.

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EHR software helps improve medical practice efficiency and increase focus on patient care. EHR software systems are now considered a necessity by most doctors and hospitals

Author (JamieHanson). Submitted on Sun, 10 Apr 2011 Time: 5:12 PM

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