Alert: New E-Prescription Quality Guidelines

Six years ago at Surescripts, we implemented the Clinical Quality Management program to measure, monitor and improve the quality of e-prescriptions flowing through the network. As part of this initiative, we conducted an analysis that revealed the absence of widely recognized guidelines and best practices for e-prescription messaging data quality. In response, we decided to create our own E-Prescription Quality Guidelines to assist all e-prescribing participants in optimizing the quality of their e-prescribing practices. These original guidelines were developed with input from diverse e-prescribing stakeholders that included medical and pharmacy professional associations, EHR and pharmacy system vendors, and, of course, practicing clinicians. With more than two-thirds of all prescriptions being sent electronically, e-prescribing is arguably becoming the de-facto standard of practice. We have recently revised these guidelines to include critical updates and address challenges that have arisen with increased usage. In addition, updated guidelines now include e-prescribing best practice recommendations based on strategies that have been implemented and proven successful by EHR and pharmacy system vendors.  The updated guidelines also include a new appendix specifically designed to assist practicing prescribers create high quality e-prescriptions.  

We are proud of the progress we have made in improving the quality of electronic prescribing and we hope you will find this latest version of our E-Prescription Quality Guidelines even more useful.

Please comment below or contact Surescripts if you have any questions.

Ajit Dhavle, PharmD, MBA, is the Vice President of Clinical Quality for Surescripts, the nation’s largest health information network. He built and now runs the Clinical Quality program at Surescripts, a vital component of the company’s e-prescribing business solutions. Follow Ajit on Twitter @AjitDhavle