While medical experts have long touted the benefits of eprescribing – such as how it allows doctors and pharmacists to communicate information about patients more effectively – a new report indicates healthcare facilities are starting to adopt this essential resource. According to a study released on November 10 by one the nation's largest eprescription networks, Surescripts, 52 percent of office-based physicians are using eprescribing software.
Further, the study indicates that this number has risen by more than 40 percent in the last three years, when it was less than 10 percent. The widespread adoption of this type of software may be due in part to the advantages it provides physicians and patients, and a number of official surveys and studies that have found links between its use and successful patient care.
"In three short years, the nation has moved from less than 10 percent to more than 50 percent of physicians eprescribing," Surescripts president and CEO Harry Totonis said in a press release. "This represents one of the most significant milestones achieved to date in the nationwide effort to adopt and achieve meaningful-use health information technology."
In addition, the organization detailed the 10 states with the highest rates of adoption. The top three were Massachusetts, Delaware and Michigan, respectively, with Connecticut and Rhode Island rounding out the top five.
Due to the many benefits of this type of medical software, doctors and the managers of small medical facilities may want to speak with a trusted provider about adopting eprescribing software, such as those provided by Lytec or Medisoft. By making the switch to a company that can provide installation and training, these organizations may be able to reduce the number of mishaps that occur while employees are still getting acclimated to the new system.