The Top Eight Reasons Why Every Prescription Should be Electronic

Improve patient care and protect your practice as soon as you begin electronically prescribing. Key integrations and automations help to remove human error, verify correct prescriptions and reduce the risk of misuse. 

Across the country, more than half of all the states either have laws in effect or laws that take effect over the next several years requiring Electronic Prescribing for Controlled Substances, referred to as EPCS. Electronic prescribing helps to combat challenges posed by the opioid and pain killer epidemic.

1) e-Prescribing is more secure than written prescriptions.

EPCS requires a one-time identity proofing process by a Credential Service Provider (CSP). Identity Proofing prevents someone from impersonating you to access your computer system and illegally write prescriptions for controlled substances. As the doctor whose name and license are attached to an EPCS account, this is critical to protecting you from anyone attempting to forge a prescription.

Another unique element to e-Prescribing is a multi-factor (two or more) user authentication required each time you prescribe a controlled substance. These two steps are quick and easy and simply add another layer of protection for all involved.

In addition to the protection of your patient’s and your practice, e-Prescribing offers an opportunity to advance the way you run your practice. Electronic prescribing reduces steps in your daily workflow, speeding up the entire process.

2) A big benefit of e-Prescribing is the flexibility it gives you.

First, you can e-Prescribe any medication, not just controlled substances. That eliminates the reliance on paper, phone and fax and streamlines your workflow into just one method to manage.

Second, no matter where you are or whether you are using your desktop computer, laptop, tablet or phone, your workflow doesn’t change. The execution of the process is similar to paper. Your staff can still prepare the prescription for you to review and approve. Then it’s sent with a click.

3) Integrate with Your Practice Management System.

When your practice management system integrates with your e-Prescribing software, your patient’s information is populated directly into your e-Prescribing software. This speeds up your entire prescription process, reduces multiple entries of patient data and errors and decreases time spent on prescribing.

4) Provide better care through e-Prescribing.

Access your patient’s prescription history at your fingertips. e-Prescribing software often allows you to see all prescriptions dispensed at any U.S. pharmacy over the past twelve months. 

5) Access drug directory information.

A good e-Prescribing service provides a built-in, rapid-search Lexicomp^Ⓡ drug directory. Eliminate the yearly Lexicomp^Ⓡ book purchase and the time it takes to flip through thousands of pages to find what you need. If the Lexicomp^Ⓡ directory is built into the e-Prescription software, you just start typing the drug brand or generic name and the software immediately pulls the drug information, including dosing options, contraindications, and discontinued meds.

6) Improve patient outcomes.

When a patient knows their prescription will be automatically transmitted and most likely ready by the time they get to the pharmacy, they’re more likely to successfully pick up their medication.

7) Save your preferences.

Look for a service with a “Doctor’s Favorites” function for quick access to the medications you frequently prescribe. It should also automatically save patients’ preferred pharmacies.

8) Option to integrate with the Washington Prescription Monitoring Program (WAPMP).

To understand the big picture prescription profile for any patients a prescription history check of all medications is run through a comprehensive U.S. pharmacy database. Controlled substance checks can be just as easily completed with direct access through your e-Prescribing software to WAPMP, Washington’s prescription drug monitoring program.

Pro Tip: Make sure every one of the key functions listed in this article are included in the flat-rate subscription fee.

By Robert McDermott, President and CEO, iCoreConnect.

iCoreRx, a WSDA Recommended Solution, allows you to e-Prescribe all medications faster, from any device. WSDA members receive special discount pricing on iCoreRx e-Prescribing software by iCoreConnect. Visit iCoreConnect.com/WA1 or call 888.810.7706.