Electronic prescriptions growing in use

In the world of medical malpractice, many different types of errors are noted. Pennsylvania residents can find themselves or their loved ones victims of errors during surgeries, missed or wrong diagnoses, improper actions during labor and delivery and more. Medication errors are another common realm of malpractice incidents. Problems can stem from multiple points along the chain including from the drug manufacturer, prescribing physician, pharmacist or medical personnel responsible for dispensing a medication.

The healthcare world is aware of the many risks associated with prescription medication errors such as a dosage mistake, a negligent pharmacist, the failure to read doctor’s handwriting properly and more. This has been one component of the push for an increase in the electronic processing o prescriptions. Despite this need, the adoption of electronic prescribing took some time to get off the ground according to a recent news story that reported on the state of what is the most dominant company in the industry.

Formed originally 2001, Surescripts virtually limped along for its first seven years. It got help from Congress in 2008 when Medicare doctors were given bonuses for prescribing electronically. The following year additional legislation provided financial assistance to providers installing electronic health record systems, growing demand. In 2008, the company processed 68 million prescriptions. In 2013, that number was over one billion.

Multiple factors have worked together to further a system ideally designed to reduce the risk of a serious injury or fatal medication error. Any person who believes that he, she or a loved one has been injured in some way related to a prescription may want to talk to an attorney to learn more about how to get help.

Source: Forbes, “How Surescripts Became The Dominant Electronic Prescribing Network,” Zina Moukheiber, April 22, 2014