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RISK MANAGEMENT - OFFICE SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS
Benefits and Guidelines for Electronic Prescription Writers
The complexity of prescribing medication is compounded by the increasing production of new pharmaceuticals and complex treatment protocols. Providers must be aware of all medications a patient is taking and must assure them that an adverse reaction is unlikely with a newly prescribed medication. Electronic prescription writers can benefit patients, physicians and pharmacists because the system eliminates prescription errors related to illegible handwriting. A drug-to-drug interaction check feature, for instance, increases patient safety by reducing potential negative interactions.
Some of the system's special features that can help prescribers include those that assist with:
- drug indications
- dosages
- side effects
- duplication
- interactions with other medications or foods
- side effects and potential contraindications,
- costs
- insurance information
The benefits of the prescription writer can significantly reduce risk of liability by managing patient data allowing practitioners to obtain immediate and direct feedback essential for quality patient care. In order to be considered for a risk management discount, electronic prescribers must forward prescriptions to a formatted printer in order to produce clear, typewritten copies for dispensing to their patients, and/or be able to electronically forward (e.g., fax) requests to a pharmacy.
If you have implemented an electronic prescription writer in your practice, please click here to complete an Office System Questionnaire.
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