Computer Fluency of Users
Do designated users of the e-Prescribing application have basic computer knowledge? Experience has shown that users familiar with using a computer, whether at home or at work, tend to learn the application at a faster rate than those who do not. To accommodate staff members that are not computer-savvy, your e-Prescribing application should have an intuitive, user-friendly interface, and should offer as much consumer-specific data as is possible to the prescribing physician.
Nursing Staff
How many nursing staff will be using the system? What is their receptivity to adopting electronic prescribing? Nurses should be made aware that organizational efficiency may not immediately rise at the point of transition, but over time, e-Prescribing can greatly assist them in a variety of areas, including reducing the number of call-backs from pharmacies, eliminating the need to transcribe medication orders, and improving risk management efforts.
Hardware Setup
Does your organization have adequate computer and printing resources for the project to be successful? There should be a computer available for each prescriber to use during appointments. Computer monitors should be positioned so that it is not necessary for the prescriber to turn his/her back on the consumer to issue a prescription. Also, a printer must be stationed nearby to instantly produce prescriptions or collateral information. Experience tells us that the first thing users will complain about during the introduction of new applications is the hardware (e.g., “The printer doesn’t have ink in it so I can’t use the new program”).
IT Support
Do your information technology leaders and staff endorse the project? Are your IT specialists working on other projects concurrently? The effort required to implement new systems should not be underestimated, especially in a setting that will bring technology to the desktops of all clinic staff. Assignment of adequate internal IT resources is mandatory to assure project success.
Current Consumers on Medications
How many of your active consumers are on medications? A typical estimate is 60-70% of active charts. Your organization will need to determine the most efficient way to input consumers’ current paper-based medication information into the new system. Many organizations use data entry to do this; but keep in mind that it takes an average of three minutes to enter each consumer’s current medication information.
Pharmacy Communication
Have you let all routinely-used community pharmacies know your organization will begin e-Prescribing? Notifying pharmacies in advance will reduce the number of phone calls that may originate from inquiries regarding the new prescription formats (e.g., confirming authenticity).
In Conclusion
More and more behavioral health providers are adopting e-Prescribing as technological advancements and government regulations drive the healthcare industry towards wholly automated processes. Early experience indicates that the benefits of e-Prescribing are real, and by far outweigh the risks and costs of implementation. Transitioning to an electronic prescribing system requires a dedicated investment of your organization’s time, money and resources. Good planning and proactive communication with all internal and external stakeholders will help assure a successful implementation, which, in turn, will result in higher quality care for your consumers.
