Implementation Cost Deters E-Prescribing
By Katie Wike, contributing writer
Despite the benefits of e-prescribing, a recent study published in Perspectives in Health Information Management says high cost is the biggest barrier to adoption
“Even with all the benefits of e-prescribing, many providers and pharmacists have remained hesitant about completely adopting an e-prescribing system,” wrote researchers in a recent study published by Perspectives in Health Information Management. According to the study, 80 percent of physicians reported lack of financial support as the main reason for delaying implementation.
“New technology requires training and information technology support for installation and upkeep,” researchers explain. “A practice must take these costs into account when deciding whether to implement an e-prescribing system and also when choosing a stand-alone system or one that is integrated into an EHR system. In a 2007 study the total cost of implementing an e-prescribing system was found to be $42,332, with annual costs after implementation of about $14,725 per year, for a practice of 10 full-time equivalent psychiatrists.”
iHealth Beat reports that despite the cost of implementation, e-prescribing systems could save $27 billion annually and prevent more than 2 million adverse drug reactions - saving an estimated 130,000 lives.
There are still other barriers to implementation as well; security and workflow issues account for some of the reluctance to integrate the software into EHRs. According to Fierce Health IT, web systems allow more security risks and the multiple layers of security required to prescribe controlled substances are more trouble than it is worth.
Researchers concluded, “e-Prescribing has the potential to increase patient safety and patient medication adherence; create cost savings for medical clinics, hospitals, and patients; and improve efficiency in the ambulatory care setting. However, barriers to its implementation still persist, the main one being the cost of implementation.”