Eliminate Dual Workflows With Electronic Prescribing Of Controlled Substances

As the volume of controlled substance prescriptions continue to rise, implementing electronic prescribing of controlled substances (EPCS) is becoming more critical for organizations to simplify prescribing workflows – improving provider productivity and patient satisfaction.

Reaching the tipping point for EPCS adoption

The volume of controlled substance prescriptions is on the rise, increasing from 10 percent of all prescriptions in 2010 to about 30 percent in 2015. A major contributing factor to this increase is the reclassification of hydrocodone combination drugs (such as Vicodin) to Schedule II controlled substances - prohibiting faxing, verbal orders, and refills. In 2013, there were more than 135 million prescriptions for hydrocodone combination drugs and today, Vicodin is among the most prescribed drugs in the US. Furthermore, controlled substances are often prescribed in conjunction with non-controlled substances, so this increase in volume exacerbates the challenges of dual prescribing workflows for organizations who have not adopted EPCS: e-prescribing for non-controlled substances and printed, paper prescribing for schedule II-V substances.

Tipping point statistic: 58% of prescribing transactions involve controlled substances.