Why More Doctors are Moving Towards Electronic Medical Prescriptions
Have you recently received an email or text message from your doctor with a link to an online portal to fill your prescriptions? You’re not alone.
More and more doctors are adopting electronic prescribing, also known as e-prescribing or eRx. E-prescriptions are growing in popularity because they offer many advantages over traditional paper prescriptions.
In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of e-prescribing from both the doctor’s and the patient’s perspective.
Benefits of e-prescribing for doctors
E-prescribing is more efficient.
Typing out a paper prescription takes time, and it’s easy to make mistakes. With e-prescribing, doctors can simply select the medication from a drop-down menu and send it electronically to the pharmacy. This system is also integrated with the patient’s medical record, so the doctor can easily check for drug interactions and allergies.
E-prescribing improves communication.
When a doctor sends an e-prescription, the pharmacy receives an electronic notification immediately. This helps to avoid delays in getting the medication to the patient. In addition, e-prescribing systems allow for two-way communication between the doctor and the pharmacy. For example, the pharmacy can let the doctor know if a prescription needs to be adjusted due to insurance coverage or the availability of the medication.
E-prescribing reduces the risk of errors.
In a recent article, more than 7,000 people die each year in the U.S. from medication errors. One of the main reasons for these errors is illegible handwriting on paper prescriptions. With e-prescribing, doctors can avoid this problem by sending clear, electronic prescriptions directly to the pharmacy.
Benefits of e-prescribing for patients
E-prescribing is more convenient.
With e-prescribing, patients can have their prescriptions filled at any pharmacy that uses the same system. This is especially helpful for patients who travel frequently or who live in rural areas. In addition, patients can choose to have their prescriptions delivered to their homes or office.
E-prescribing saves time.
Patients who use e-prescribing don’t have to wait in line at the pharmacy to drop off their paper prescriptions. In addition, they can often have their prescriptions filled more quickly because the pharmacy can start processing the order as soon as they receive the electronic notification.
E-prescribing is more secure.
Paper prescriptions can be lost or stolen. With e-prescribing, patients’ prescription information is stored securely in an electronic system. In addition, e-prescribing systems may offer patients the option to set up alerts to remind them when it’s time to refill their prescriptions.
Overall, e-prescribing offers many advantages for both doctors and patients. This system is more efficient, secure, and convenient than the traditional paper prescription. As more doctors adopt this technology, likely, the number of errors and delays in getting medications to patients will continue to decrease.
How to Safely Store and Share Your Digital Prescriptions
If you’re one of the 65 percent of Americans who have a digital prescription, it’s important to store and share your prescriptions safely. Here are some tips:
- Keep a list of all your digital prescriptions in a secure place, such as a password-protected document or app.
- Make sure only authorized people have access to your prescriptions. For example, you may want to give your doctor or pharmacy access to your prescription list, but not everyone in your family.
- When sharing your prescriptions with others, use a secure method, such as encryption.
- Always log out of your prescription account when you’re finished using it.
- Be cautious about downloading prescription apps from untrustworthy sources. Only download apps from the official app store of your device’s operating system.
- Keep your software and app up-to-date to reduce the risk of security breaches.
- Use a strong password for your prescription account, and don’t reuse passwords for other accounts.
- Contact your doctor or pharmacy right away if you suspect your prescription account has been hacked.
By following these tips, you can help protect your prescriptions from being accessed by unauthorized people. This is important not only for your privacy but also for your safety. If someone were to gain access to your prescriptions, they could potentially misuse them or sell them illegally.
While e-prescribing is becoming more popular, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks associated with this technology. By taking steps to protect your prescription information, you can help keep your prescriptions safe and secure.
