| Providing health care that is safe and effective while maintaining efficient use of resources has been a leading priority in the United States for years. Creation of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) give medical personnel an opportunity to have patient health data in one repository that is readily available leading to greater effectiveness and safety. Recent initiatives driven by government incentives pushed the implementation of electronic prescribing, and e-prescribing. Despite federal incentives, widespread conversion to electronic transmission of prescriptions has not met expectations. In an effort to more fully understand why e-prescribe technologies are not widely embraced, a pilot study was conducted in one urban, university affiliated emergency department (ED). This pilot had two components. First, a retrospective record review was used to document existing e-prescribe behaviors. Three-hundred and three electronic medical records that met inclusion criteria were reviewed between January-February 2015 for existing patterns of e-prescribe use. Review of the electronic records revealed a low rate of transmitting prescriptions electronically to pharmacies. Next, licensed prescribers working in the emergency department during the study period were invited to participate in a survey monkey questionnaire to identify what factors are related to the utilization of e-prescribing. Those who participated suggested a myriad of factors that affect their use of e-prescribing which include perceived lack of training, lack of clarity regarding "meaningful use" mandates and lack of understanding of state laws requiring use of e-prescribe technology by preset deadlines. The findings from this mixed-methods study can be used to develop strategies to enhance utilization of e-prescribing within this ED, across other departments, and in institutions struggling with integration of this technology into practice. |
