OBJECTIVE: To better understand barriers associated with the adoption and use of electronic prescribing of controlled substances (EPCS), a practice recently established by US Drug Enforcement Administration regulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prescribers of controlled substances affiliated with a regional health system were surveyed regarding current electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) activities, current prescribing of controlled substances, and expectations and barriers to the adoption of EPCS. RESULTS: 246 prescribers (response rate of 64%) represented a range of medical specialties, with 43.1% of these prescribers current users of e-prescribing for non-controlled substances. Reported issues with controlled substances included errors, pharmacy call-backs, and diversion; most prescribers expected EPCS to address many of these problems, specifically reduce medical errors, improve work flow and efficiency of practice, help identify prescription diversion or misuse, and improve patient treatment management. Prescribers expected, however, that it would be disruptive to practice, and over one-third of respondents reported that carrying a security authentication token at all times would be so burdensome as to discourage adoption. DISCUSSION: Although adoption of e-prescribing has been shown to dramatically reduce medication errors, challenges to efficient processes and errors still persist from the perspective of the prescriber, that may interfere with the adoption of EPCS. Most prescribers regarded EPCS security measures as a small or moderate inconvenience (other than carrying a security token), with advantages outweighing the burden. CONCLUSION: Prescribers are optimistic about the potential for EPCS to improve practice, but view certain security measures as a burden and potential barrier.
OBJECTIVE: To better understand barriers associated with the adoption and use of electronic prescribing of controlled substances (EPCS), a practice recently established by US Drug Enforcement Administration regulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prescribers of controlled substances affiliated with a regional health system were surveyed regarding current electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) activities, current prescribing of controlled substances, and expectations and barriers to the adoption of EPCS. RESULTS: 246 prescribers (response rate of 64%) represented a range of medical specialties, with 43.1% of these prescribers current users of e-prescribing for non-controlled substances. Reported issues with controlled substances included errors, pharmacy call-backs, and diversion; most prescribers expected EPCS to address many of these problems, specifically reduce medical errors, improve work flow and efficiency of practice, help identify prescription diversion or misuse, and improve patient treatment management. Prescribers expected, however, that it would be disruptive to practice, and over one-third of respondents reported that carrying a security authentication token at all times would be so burdensome as to discourage adoption. DISCUSSION: Although adoption of e-prescribing has been shown to dramatically reduce medication errors, challenges to efficient processes and errors still persist from the perspective of the prescriber, that may interfere with the adoption of EPCS. Most prescribers regarded EPCS security measures as a small or moderate inconvenience (other than carrying a security token), with advantages outweighing the burden. CONCLUSION: Prescribers are optimistic about the potential for EPCS to improve practice, but view certain security measures as a burden and potential barrier.
Authors: Donald C Spencer; Aaron Leininger; Rowell Daniels; Robert P Granko; Remy R Coeytaux Journal: Am J Health Syst Pharm Date: 2005-02-15 Impact factor: 2.637
Authors: Rainu Kaushal; David Blumenthal; Eric G Poon; Ashish K Jha; Calvin Franz; Blackford Middleton; John Glaser; Gilad Kuperman; Melissa Christino; Rushika Fernandopulle; Joseph P Newhouse; David W Bates Journal: Ann Intern Med Date: 2005-08-02 Impact factor: 25.391
Authors: D W Bates; J M Teich; J Lee; D Seger; G J Kuperman; N Ma'Luf; D Boyle; L Leape Journal: J Am Med Inform Assoc Date: 1999 Jul-Aug Impact factor: 4.497
Authors: Robyn Tamblyn; Allen Huang; Yuko Kawasumi; Gillian Bartlett; Roland Grad; André Jacques; Martin Dawes; Michal Abrahamowicz; Robert Perreault; Laurel Taylor; Nancy Winslade; Lise Poissant; Alain Pinsonneault Journal: J Am Med Inform Assoc Date: 2005-12-15 Impact factor: 4.497
Authors: D W Bates; L L Leape; D J Cullen; N Laird; L A Petersen; J M Teich; E Burdick; M Hickey; S Kleefield; B Shea; M Vander Vliet; D L Seger Journal: JAMA Date: 1998-10-21 Impact factor: 56.272
Authors: Cindy Parks Thomas; Meelee Kim; Stephen J Kelleher; Ruslan V Nikitin; Peter W Kreiner; Ann McDonald; Grant M Carrow Journal: J Am Med Inform Assoc Date: 2013-04-05 Impact factor: 4.497