Study reveals eRx helps prevent asthma attacks
A new study finds patients are more likely to routinely take medications for asthma control when physicians keep close watch over their adherence by reviewing detailed electronic prescription information. The study was conducted by researchers at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, who studied the use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) for asthma control. Researchers found that when doctors used e-prescribing to access detailed information such as how often patients fill their prescriptions and the estimated number of days each prescription would last, medication adherence was significantly higher.
Minnesota HIE to offer e-prescribing via portal
The Minnesota Health Information Exchange (MN HIE) plans to offer healthcare providers access to e-prescribing through its portal. MN HIE officials say it will be using Rcopia, an e-prescribing application from DrFirst, to link its providers to patients’ clinical information so they can create an electronic prescription. The application will help them meet state regulatory requirements for electronic prescribing effective Jan. 1, 2011, said officials.
NY extension center to roll out EMR
Non-profit NYC Regional Electronic Adoption Center for Health (NYC REACH), the federally designated Regional Extension Center (REC) for New York City, will be offering an electronic medical record and practice management system to its providers in New York City. NYC REACH officials said it would use a $21.7 million grant awarded by the federal department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to help roll out an EHR/PM system from Westborough, Mass.-based eClinicalWorks to providers within New York City’s five boroughs.
West Virginia launches center to help providers adopt IT
West Virginia has established a Regional Health Information Technology Extension Center (WVRHITEC) designed to help primary care providers across the state implement electronic health records systems. Starting this summer, the WVRHITEC will begin working with regional and community-based organizations to provide information, guidance and technical assistance to eligible participants, who will include doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants in primary care settings. This includes providers in rural and medically underserved areas; community health centers and certain public, not-for-profit or critical access hospitals.
