Paper records produce a number of logistical problems for healthcare providers. For example, analyzing huge volumes of clinical data with no electronic assistance to streamline the process lays the framework for medical errors such as duplicate treatments and improper prescriptions
Corroborating this problem, a recent survey of 400 physicians conducted by the world's leading eprescribing network Surescripts, found that 39 percent of respondents have encountered gaps in their facility's immunization records while 35 percent reported missing patient summaries.
In an effort to fill in these gaps and afford healthcare providers with more complete and easily digestible clinical summaries, it was recently announced that one of America's leading drug store chains, Walgreens, will reportedly adopt an eprescribing platform in each of the company's 7,800 affiliated pharmacies.
Walgreens will deploy Surescripts' Clinical Interoperability platform in order to facilitate seamless information exchange in real time with participating doctors and facilities, ultimately enhancing the coordination and quality of patient care with instant and complete data access.
According to Surescripts CEO Harry Totonis, "This is the latest example of how Surescripts is connecting healthcare, supporting meaningful use and enabling pharmacies to support improvements in care, safety, cost and health outcomes."
Considering the ability for eprescribing platforms to reduce error and improve the patient experience in multiple ways, facility managers looking to adopt the technology for their practice can do so by using the services of a certified medical technology consulting firm. These professionals can ease the transition by implementing a software suite including electronic medical records and eprescribing software, optimizing a facility's data management system. Medical technology consultants can also train staff on how to use the software for optimal interoperability with pharmacies and other practices.
Microwize Technology is a leading healthcare IT consultant offering products such as electronic medical records software and medical billing software from top providers like Allscripts and McKesson, including McKesson's Medisoft, Lytec and Practice Choice products.