Implementation of NLM’s RxNorm in Ambulatory E-Prescribing
Today the principal drug identifier terminology used in electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) is the Food and Drug Administration’s National Drug Code (NDC). But despite being widely used, NDC identifiers have been criticized for a number of short comings relative to their application in e-prescribing.
RxNorm is a standardized, non-proprietary clinical drug nomenclature developed and maintained by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to facilitate the electronic exchange of clinical health information between various systems that use different drug nomenclatures. RxNorm has been recommended as the preferred alternative to NDC by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other organizations for use as the standard drug identification terminology in e-prescribing.
A research study published in the Journal of American Medical Informatics Association evaluates the implementation of RxNorm in ambulatory e-prescriptions in the U.S. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the use of RxNorm drug identifiers in ambulatory e-prescriptions. The use of RxNorm in e-prescribing has ramped up considerably since the data for this study were collected. This research sheds light on a number of issues concerning RxNorm implementation and its prescription drug coverage. Most importantly, it highlights the critical need for accurate implementation of RxNorm by EHR and pharmacy technology vendors.
As with any technology, implementation is key. If done correctly, RxNorm can help to improve practice workflows and patient safety. However, if implemented poorly, it could create more problems than it solves.
I am interested in your thoughts regarding how we can encourage RxNorm’s correct implementation and rapid adoption in e-prescribing.
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
Ajit Dhavle- what term types do you see being used the most? I think we need a better understanding of term types and when and how to use. Kim
Health Assisting Instructor & Clinical Preceptor
9 年Having implemented an EMR that used NDC coding/compendium in a number of practices, I would say anything might be better. Some EMRs allow advanced users to add to their drug libraries with varied results. Sometimess updates are slow or infrequent. It also seems that the functionality of the EMR has a lot to do with the success or failure of any drug list. How frequently would RxNorm be updated within the EMR? How fast are new drugs to market or off label usages added?