News Feature | October 16, 2013

E-prescribing Increases 800 Percent On One Network

Source: Health IT Outcomes
Katie Wike

By Katie Wike, contributing writer

Study of Surescripts network reveals dramatic increase in number of providers using EHR to prescribe electronically

In 2008, seven percent of doctors, nurses, and physicians assistants used e-prescriptions. According to a study published on the American Journal of Managed Care, that number increased dramatically by 2012, reaching 54 percent. In the study the number went from 47,000 providers using e-prescriptions to an astounding 398,000.

In addition, the study found 94 percent of pharmacies were capable of accepting e-prescriptions. “The majority of pharmacies in the United States have been able to accept e-prescriptions since 2008. This suggests that e-prescribing among physicians was not hindered by the lack of pharmacies able to receive e-prescriptions,” wrote the study’s authors, led by Meghan H. Gabriel, PhD, of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT.

According to EHR Intelligence, e-prescribing is part of a core requirement of MU Stage 2 “where eligible providers need to transmit more than 50 percent of ‘all permissible prescriptions’ via their CEHRT, an increase of 10 percent over Stage 1.”

But while e-prescribing meets MU requirements and promises better quality of care, it is also taking its toll on providers. According to the study, “Cost and work flow concerns are most commonly cited as the primary challenges to health IT adoption. Eighteen studies have noted that e-prescribing has doubled prescribing time for office-based physicians. This time is partially offset by reducing other record-keeping tasks.

“E-prescribing is proving its potential to create a gateway to the improved patient care that health IT promises,” the authors conclude. “This study shows positive emerging trends in electronic prescribing by demonstrating accelerated growth in adoption of electronic prescribing at both provider and pharmacy level. Continuous efforts and focused investments can be expected to diminish most of the barriers to implementation in the future.”