E-Prescribing Could Save Healthcare Billions, Improve Patient Outcomes

Health Information Technology
Kathleen Roney -

E-prescribing could increase first-fill medication adherence and lead to $140 billion-$240 billion in healthcare savings and improved outcomes, according to a study conducted by Surescripts, a network of healthcare organizations. Researchers collaborated with pharmacies and pharmacy managers to review data sets representing over 40 million prescription records. They compared electronic prescriptions with paper, phoned- and faxed- prescriptions to measure the prescription form's impact on first-fill medication adherence.

The data showed a ten percent increase in patient first-fill medication adherence when the physician adopted e-prescribing technology compared to a physician who did not e-prescribe. According to the report, an increase in prescription adherence could lower repeat hospitalizations and medical complications, which cost the U.S. healthcare system $290 billion annually.

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