ePrescribing Pilot Project - Frequently Asked Questions
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What are security features that will protect them if I lose my PDA while logged in? [Allscripts] You can set the device PIN such that when it times out, it requires a password to access the device (Pocket PC feature) as a preventative measure
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What can be done if someone obtains my password and login? Can we change the user name, or set up a new account?
[Allscripts] The user can reset the password using the desktop system. Resetting the password should be sufficient. Changing the userid means creating new user and losing any favorites that have been built up but it is possible if needed.
- Can we get some more details on the Hosted asp site, the site where the data is remotely stored? We have some concerns about security of our data being offsite:
[Allscripts] We cannot give out too many specifics, as it would be a blue print for hacking it. But in general:
Availability
- Power - Independent grids, UPS devices, generators
- Redundant Network Infrastructure
- Redundant Production Servers (load balanced or failover capacity)
- Backup schedule (daily, weekly, monthly tape rotation)
- Backup data centers
Security
- All public network traffic is encrypted using 128 bit encryption
- Physical safeguards
- Employee policies and training
- Internal and 3rd party audits
- Intrusion Prevention
- What are some of the potential benefits of ePrescribing?
E-prescribing can help prevent medication errors because each prescription can be electronically checked at the time of prescribing for dosage, interactions with other medications, and therapeutic duplication. E prescribing can improve the quality of care, efficiency, and reduce costs by--
• Actively promoting appropriate drug usage, such as following a medication regimen for a specific condition.
• Providing information about formulary-based drug coverage, including formulary alternatives and co-pay information.
• Speeding up the process of renewing medications by reducing the number of phone calls.
• Providing instant connectivity between the health care provider, the pharmacy, health plans/PBMs, and other entities, improving the speed and accuracy of prescription dispensing, pharmacy callbacks, renewal requests, eligibility checks, and medication history.
The use of e-prescribing shows promise for improving Medicare operations by creating efficiencies in the administration of the Part D drug benefit, by facilitating patient eligibility checks, promoting generic drugs and appropriate use, and creating timely interface with formularies. It also allows enhanced patient safety benefits through the prevention of medication errors resulting from illegible handwriting on paper prescriptions.
- What is the purpose of the ePrescribing Pilot Project?
The purpose of the eRx Pilot Project with initial implementation sites is to prove the technical stability and safety of the system and to look closely at prescribing and dispensing processes in light of the introduction of the new service. This will ensure that the workflow benefits of the service are maximised and any adverse impacts minimised.
- What are some of the barriers to e-prescribing?
Some of the barriers to increased usage of e-prescribing by physicians are the costs of buying and installing a system, the training involved, time and workflow impact, lack of reimbursement for costs and resources, and lack of knowledge about the benefits related to quality of care
- What are computer generated faxes in e-prescribing ?
Although, the benefits of e-prescribing will not be fully realized with fax transmission of prescriptions, computer-generated faxes are another common technology in today's e-prescribing environment in which the prescriber's computer generates an electronic prescription. The prescription is then transmitted to a dispenser's fax machine which prints a hard copy of the original computer-generated fax.
- Are patients restricted to pharmacies that can offer the new service?
No. A patient will be able to take their prescription form to any pharmacy (as happens now). If a patient nominates a preferred pharmacy, they can choose to change that nomination if they wish to use a different pharmacy.
