Use of e-Prescribing
Summary
Several pharmacy organizations say they support the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA's) efforts to allow electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) of controlled substances. In a joint letter released earlier this month, these organizations called for further clarification on the new e-prescribing rule, originally published in the Federal Register on March 31, 2010. Nearly all respondents believe that clinicians that are able to prescribe controlled substances should be able to use e-prescribing to do so. Improved workflow and enhanced patient safety were identified as the key benefits to using e-prescribing technologies when prescribing controlled substances. However, a lack of willingness to use e-prescribing technology by prescribers was also identified as a key barrier to future use of this technology. At present, approximately 40 percent of respondents noted that e-prescribing technology was in use at their organization.
Should Prescribers Be Able to Use e-Prescribing Technology for Controlled Substances?
Nearly all respondents believe that clinicians able to prescribe controlled substances should be able to use e-prescribing technology to do so. Only four percent of respondents indicated that they did not believe this should be the case.
Greatest Benefit to Using e-Prescribing Technology for Controlled Substances?
Nearly half of respondents indicated that improved workflow would be the greatest benefit to allowing clinicians to prescribe controlled substances using e-prescribing technology. Another third of respondents identified enhanced patient safety as a benefit.
Impact of DEA's Interim Final Rule on Use of e-Prescribing Technology
Half of respondents indicated that the March 2010 interim final rule that addresses e-prescribing for controlled substances will have a slight increase in the use of e-prescribing. Another one-third of respondents believe that it will contribute to a significant uptick in e-prescriptions.
Greatest Barrier to Implementing e-Prescribing at Healthcare Organizations
While the biggest barrier to implementing e-prescribing technology in healthcare organizations was identified as a lack of willingness by prescribers to integrate the use of e-prescribing technology into their workflow, a similar percent (one-quarter) identified the cost of the technology as a key barrier.
Use of e-Prescribing Technology
Approximately 40 percent of respondents noted that e-prescribing technology is implemented at their organization. Among these respondents, use varies from limited use to being used in all departments. Less than two percent of respondents indicated that they don't anticipate using this technology at their healthcare organization.
1 of 6 
