National Post (National Edition)
Health care system embraces PrescribeIT amid current health constraints
The electronic prescription system is about more than just efficiency
The global pandemic has alerted everyone to the vital role of virtual health services. From online consultations to e-prescription services, virtual health service adoption is seeing unprecedented growth since the crisis began.
“The COVID-19 outbreak has shone a light on the important role virtual care can play in delivering services and keeping people safe,” says Jamie Bruce, executive vice president of Canada Health Infoway. “Digitally connected health infrastructures are fundamental in planning pandemic response today and into the future.”
Bruce is currently overseeing the deployment of PrescribeIT, a national service that enables prescribers to electronically transmit a prescription directly from a prescriber’s electronic medical record (EMR) to the dispenser’s pharmacy management
These initiatives benefit the patient by eliminating safety issues like illegible writing and minimize personal contact by reducing wait times at pharmacies.” -Jamie Bruce, executive vice president, Canada Health Infoway
system. With PrescribeIT, stakeholders can electronically create, receive, renew and cancel prescriptions.
The project was launched by Canada Health Infoway in 2017 with funding from Health Canada and in collaboration with provinces, territories, and industry partners, as a tool to provide more efficient medication management.
The benefits go well beyond administrative efficiency, Bruce notes. It also safeguards patient health data, reduces the potential for fraud and abuse (particularly for narcotics and other controlled substances), and increases accuracy.
There are several options available through PrescribeIT that support patient choice. The electronic prescription can be securely delivered directly to a person’s pharmacy of choice where it is automatically entered into the pharmacy management system. Or, the prescriber can provide the patient with an authorized paper copy with a barcode they can use at any PrescribeIT-enabled pharmacy.
Momentum for the service is accelerating in light of recent events, Bruce says. “We’re at an inflexion point right now and seeing a really strong demand from pharmacists and physicians for this type of service. Adoption is growing dramatically.”
Bruce reports a 20 per cent increase in service usage since March. “We had the largest number of deployments in March. Now we are facing pent up demand.”
The foundational elements are well established to scale services to meet the coming demand. “In the early years of the project, we focused on building the right solution and upgrading the digital infrastructure, as well as building relationships with pharmacies, prescribers, and EMR companies. A lot of that is done and we are ready to answer the call to action.”
PrescribeIT is one of many digital services that are designed to support the patient journey, he stresses. “In the world of physical distancing, we are doing everything we can to reduce time spent in offices and pharmacies. The value of services like PrescribeIT have been amplified in these circumstances. Allowing prescriptions to be received directly into a management system and electronically requesting renewals helps keep patients out of public places and allows them to get home as quickly as possible.”
In times where prescription requests are higher the normal, the system also allows pharmacies to quickly address any supply issues and relay inventory information back to the physician to consider options. “If it wasn’t digital, that could take time,” Bruce says.
In order to manage connected health care in times of a pandemic, a lot of alignment is needed, he notes. “PrescribeIT’s success required a long-term commitment on a national scale. We are achieving that as we speak. At a time when everyone is stressed, patients can feel comfort in knowing we have improved communications between their most trusted providers to deliver the best care possible,” he says.
It has become very clear that a national connected health care strategy is critical to pandemic preparedness, Bruce says. “Sometimes it takes a shock to the system to understand how critical connected health is.”