Tennessee posted the second best improvement among states last year in use of computers by doctors to send prescriptions electronically to pharmacists, according to the latest ranking by the nation’s largest e-prescribing network.
Overall, health-care providers statewide issued more than 1.78 million electronic prescriptions in 2008, representing more than 4 percent of prescriptions eligible to be sent electronically. That increase helped the state to jump 11 spots to 18th from 29th in the state-by-state ranking by Surescripts based on volume through its network.
Analysts attribute the improvement to state-led efforts that encouraged dialogue between physicians and pharmacists at the community level and educated about the benefits of e-prescribing including improving patient safety. “It’s our hope to see e-prescribing become a natural part of every health-care provider’s workflow because of its practical benefits to patients in providing better care,” said Gov. Phil Bredesen, who received an award on behalf of the state at an event in Washington on Monday. More Here Electronic Prescription