Posts Tagged ‘Electronic prescribing’
Health IT Hot in the Nation’s Capital
There is a lot to keep up with living in DC, but in the recent article, Health IT heats up in Washington Dr. Kevin Fickenscher discuses today’s hot topics in our nation’s capital. Yes, you guessed it– Health Information Technology is at the top of the list.
Dr. Fickenscher connects the dots between the recent buzz in HIT and the ongoing growth of mobile technologies in our country. He sheds light on a recent event in which the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) signed a memo of joint cooperation that will allow them to work together to manage wireless medical devices. “With the FCC already having released the National Broadband Plan, the use of wireless devices in the medical community will only continue to grow and the government needs to be prepared for the huge wave of growth anticipated in the health care arena. As a tool for reducing costs, enhancing service and driving quality of care, wireless technologies are an imperative for health care innovation.”
Although hype is building, the symbiotic relationship between HIT and mobile technologies has already been proven successful. Just as mobile online banking applies to the financial industry, e-prescribing is one example of how wireless technology has already worked to enhance all aspects of the health care environment. Providers can access e-prescribing software via wireless networks to electronically prescribe medicines anywhere, including at the point of care, and send these prescriptions straight to the pharmacy with click of a button.
Washington has played a huge role over the past few years in passing legislation to kick-start HIT adoption, and will surely remain involved as we watch the recently defined ‘meaningful use’ incentives come to fruition.
Over the past several months there has been a surge in conversation and hype regarding the upcoming Meaningful Use incentive payments. Until now, the focus of this discussion has been centered around the requirements and payments to, what the CMS has deemed, ‘eligible providers.’ In a recent letter sent by the CMS, steps are outlined for states to receive matching federal funds for administrative expenses related to the MU payment programs. These requirements have recently been summarized in an iHealthbeat article, proving that the the state’s voluntary situation when it comes to the payments is being promoted by the federal governement.
Under the 2009 federal economic stimulus package, health care providers who demonstrate meaningful use of certified electronic health records will receive incentive payments through Medicaid and Medicare. States can receive a 90% federal funding match for incentive payments distributed to Medicaid providers who adopt EHRs under the meaningful use criteria.
To warrant this payment matching, the CMS has asked state entities to perform a few responsibilities including:
- create and enhance data warehouses
- develop interfaces with data repositories and HIEs
- establish master patient indexes
- organize workshops, meetings and webinars to promote education
- administer the incentive payments to those that qualify
- track MU attestations
- pursue programs to promote the adoption of certified EHRs
These requirements seem to be aimed at building the amount of stored clinical data for future IT systems, as well as to take some of the administrative burdens off of the federal government. Jessica Kahn, technical director for health IT at CMS, proposes that “states should no wait until every detail has been released before starting their incentive programs.” She goes on to say that the CMS’ letter recommends approaching the program incrementally. With new incentives such as this, it seems clear that state agencies will be pushing to identify those systems that qualify E.P.’s for meaningful use without the cost of a full-blown EMR.
In order to better serve our clients and to better communicate exciting new product offerings, DrFirst launches a brand new website today, Friday, August 6, 2010! The new website will make it easier for users to stay on-top of developing products and federal incentives such as:
- ARRA “Meaningful Use” criteria
- EPCS: E-prescribing Controlled Substances
- Mobile apps for the iPhone, Android, iPad and other smartphones
- Upgrading from e-prescribing to over 110 DrFirst EMR/EHR/PMS vendor partners
- And much more!
Check it out!! www.drfirst.com
A recent study by the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC) indicated that even when physicians have access to e-prescribing, many do not routinely use the technology.
“The study also found that fewer than 60 percent of physicians with e-prescribing capability had access to three advanced features included as part of the Medicare and Medicaid incentive programs—identifying potential drug interactions, obtaining formulary information and transmitting prescriptions to pharmacies electronically…”
If your e-prescribing solution doesn’t have access to these 3 features, then it isn’t good enough. And if your eprescribing solution doesn’t fit well into your existing workflow, then it isn’t good enough.
As suggested on Healthcare Informatics, “If vendors can support improved physician workflow by allowing physicians to click three times instead of 13, then it’s natural to assume more docs would be e-prescribing and using its advanced functionality.”
We agree! DrFirst Rcopia has one click e-prescribing of renewals, and no more than 3 clicks for new prescriptions! Providers who choose DrFirst use DrFirst Rcopia everyday.
It’s still not too late to get federal incentive money for adopting e-prescribing this year! Last month CMS released a resource sheet for the 2010 Electronic Prescribing Incentive Program which details how you could qualify to receive a full-year incentive payment. It details that eligible professionals (EPs) may begin reporting eRx at any time throughout the 2010 program year to qualify.
In order to be eligible for the payout, EPs must adopt a “qualified” eRx system which offers specific capabilities outlined by the program. And the good news is that the eRx measure must be reported only 25 times to successfully meet reporting criteria and be considered incentive eligible! Read the CMS document for more information and links to important resources. With requirements this easy, you’ll be on your way to earning medicare incentive dollars in no time!
According to “Advancing Healthcare in America,” the number of e-prescriptions filled last year soared 181% to 191 million. The report also found that over the past 2 years pharmacies have rapidly adopted e-prescribing tools. E-prescribing of medications is on the rise in all sectors of the healthcare community and is helping to transform patient care for the better.
This is not only happening in the ambulatory enviornment either! According to the American Hospital Association’s 2010 “Most Wired Survey“ many of the hospitals and physicians have increased their use of certain health IT tools. The survey found that 51% of prescription drug orders were done electronically, up from 49% in 2009.
DrFirst wants to congratulate the following customers for making the Most Wired Hospitals List this year!
- Berkshire Health Systems, Pittsfield: Most Improved
- Exeter Health Resources: Most Wired-Small & Rural
- Holy Name Medical Center, Teaneck: Most Improved
- Valley Hospital, Ridgewood: Most Wired
- Avera Health, Sioux Falls: Most Wired and Most Wireless
