More than 52% of U.S. office-based physicians use electronic prescribing in their practices, according to new data from e-prescribing network Surescripts, the Philadelphia Business Journal reports (George, Philadelphia Business Journal, 11/9).
Details of New Data
Surescripts noted that its network has 357,000 active e-prescribers, including office-based physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Surescripts also found that 94% of pharmacies nationwide now can receive e-prescriptions.
Harry Totonis -- president and CEO of Surescripts -- said, "In three short years, the nation has moved from less than 10% to more than 50% of physicians e-prescribing. This represents one of the most significant milestones achieved to date in the nationwide effort to adopt and achieve meaningful use of health information technology."
Under the 2009 federal economic stimulus package, health care providers who demonstrate meaningful use of certified electronic health records can qualify for Medicaid and Medicare incentive payments.
Safe-Rx Awards
Surescripts presented the data during an online event on Wednesday announcing the organization's annual Safe-Rx Awards. The awards go to the 10 states with the highest level of e-prescribing activity (DeArment, Drug Store News, 11/9).
The Safe-Rx rankings reflect various factors, including the total number of e-prescriptions sent as a percentage of all prescriptions within a state that are able to be submitted electronically (Safe-Rx report, 11/9).
According to Surescripts, the 10 states with the highest level of e-prescribing activity are:
- Massachusetts;
- Delaware;
- Michigan;
- Connecticut;
- Rhode Island;
- Pennsylvania;
- South Dakota;
- Iowa;
- Oregon; and
- North Carolina (Philadelphia Business Journal, 11/9).