The number of providers using EHRs to prescribe electronically on the Surescripts network has increased dramatically over the past few years, according to research recently published in The American Journal of Managed Care. A study by Gabriel, Furukawa, & Vaidya shows that between 2008 and 2012, the total number of e-prescribers (e.g., physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants) jumped from a mere 7 percent (47,000 providers) to 54 percent (398,000) during that time.
This uptick on the provider side was made possible by 94 percent of pharmacies being able to accept these e-prescriptions. “These increases in pharmacies actively accepting e-prescriptions and the provider’s eprescribing mirror the increase in the volume of e-prescriptions sent on the Surescripts network,” the authors write.
In many ways, electronic prescribing (e-prescribing, eRx) is a precursor to the meaningful use of certified EHR technology (CEHRT) promoted by the EHR Incentive Programs for Medicare and Medicaid. In fact, this functionality is a core requirement of Stage 2 Meaningful Use where eligible providers need to transmit more than 50 percent of “all permissible prescriptions” via their CEHRT, an increase of 10 percent over Stage 1.
The increase in providers e-prescribing and pharmacies accepting these electronic scripts is evidenced by the upswing in the number of e-prescriptions on the Surescripts network during the four-year span:
In 2008, 4% of all new and renewal prescriptions were sent electronically in the United States. It is forecasted that 45% of new and renewal prescriptions will be sent electronically in 2012. In December 2008, 61% of pharmacies in rural counties were actively accepting e-prescriptions, compared with 75% of urban pharmacies (P <.001). This 14% gap has closed during the study period. In December 2012, 94% of urban pharmacies and 93% of rural pharmacies were actively accepting e-prescriptions.
Based on the fact that an overwhelming majority of pharmacies are able to receive prescriptions electronically, the research team has identified a provider’s perception of e-prescribing as more significant obstacle to adopting this functionality than a lack of appropriate technology. “The large increase in e-prescribers (7%-54%) suggests accumulating positive perceptions as experience grows. Over half of providers have implemented EHRs and e-prescribe via those systems,” the study indicates.
“E-prescribing is proving its potential to create a gateway to the improved patient care that health IT promises,” the authors conclude. “This study shows positive emerging trends in electronic prescribing by demonstrating accelerated growth in adoption of electronic prescribing at both provider and pharmacy level. Continuous efforts and focused investments can be expected to diminish most of the barriers to implementation in the future.”
At the very least, e-prescribing is one measure that eligible professionals and hospitals in meaningful use shouldn’t be struggling with. Source
