title: Electronic prescribing: improving the efficiency and accuracy of prescribing in the ambulatory care setting.
abstract: Electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) is an important part of the nation's push to enhance the safety and quality of the prescribing process. E-prescribing allows providers in the ambulatory care setting to send prescriptions electronically to the pharmacy and can be a stand-alone system or part of an integrated electronic health record system. The methodology for this study followed the basic principles of a systematic review. A total of 47 sources were referenced. Results of this research study suggest that e-prescribing reduces prescribing errors, increases efficiency, and helps to save on healthcare costs. Medication errors have been reduced to as little as a seventh of their previous level, and cost savings due to improved patient outcomes and decreased patient visits are estimated to be between $140 billion and $240 billion over 10 years for practices that implement e-prescribing. However, there have been significant barriers to implementation including cost, lack of provider support, patient privacy, system errors, and legal issues.
authors.affiliation: The Marshall University Graduate College of Business Health Care Administration Program in South Charleston, WV.
authors.forename: Amber
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Porterfield
authors.affiliation: The Marshall University Graduate College of Business Health Care Administration Program in South Charleston, WV.
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Engelbert
authors.affiliation: The Marshall University Graduate College of Business Health Care Administration Program in South Charleston, WV.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Coustasse
mesh_terms: D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000517:prevention & control; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D055695:Electronic Prescribing / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*; D061214:Patient Safety; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: barriers to implementation; benefits; cost; electronic prescribing; safety