subject: Integrating E-Prescribing with Electronic Medical Records [print this page] Integrating E-Prescribing with Electronic Medical Records
You can eat peanut butter without jelly, and I suppose you could eat jelly without peanut butter. But, it's a better meal when the two are together. Now, I know it's kind of a stretch, but you can say the same thing for e-prescribing and electronic medical records. Barring the semi-clich analogy, there is a point here. The medical world has taken quantum leaps forward mostly due to the advancement in technology. However, it's only just now catching on that doctors can go paperless. They can throw away the prescription pads, and they can put those bulky patient files onto a hard drive. But, for some reason, a great number of doctors are only doing one of the two or none at all. Granted, you can have e-prescribing without EMRs and vice versa, but they're much more effective when they're together.
First, let's briefly focus on each one separately. E-prescriptions save pharmacists the agony of deciphering doctors' handwriting. And, while the poor legibility of doctors' handwriting has been a running joke for as long as anyone can remember, it can be a serious problem. With e-prescribing software, pharmacists know exactly what medication at what dosage to give to patients. Also, since prescriptions can be sent directly from the doctor's office to the pharmacy, the entire process is streamlined. Not too shabby, right?
Electronic medical records are helpful, first and foremost, because they're a space saver. There's no longer a need for colossal filing cabinets. With EMRs, patients' information can be accessed quickly and information can easily be edited. Also, the mobility of EMRs is a huge selling point. Patients favor doctors who utilize EMRs because they know if they get into a jam anywhere in the world, their medical records can be accessed.
Truthfully, one is not complete without the other. Once integrated, you'll see a number of benefits. Imagine how much more efficient your e-prescribing software will be if it has electronic medical records to back it up. If the two are integrated, your e-prescribing system can red-flag any potentially dangerous medication combinations found in the patient's file. If you had one without the other, it's then on the doctor to know of any potential dangers. Naturally, patients have begun looking into which doctors utilize this technology and which ones do not. So, while the initial costs and process of installation might be intimidating, you'll see a decrease in overhead costs and an increase in customer satisfaction.
