Smaller Practices Lead Way to E-Prescription Adoption

Smaller practices have been leading the way toward e-prescription adoption, according to a new survey from Surescript. And the largest year-over-year growth in physician adoption of e-prescribing happened among solo practitioners.

More than half (55%) of practices with six to 10 physicians adopted e-prescribing technology, as did 53% of practices with two to five physicians. E-prescribing adoption among solo practitioners increased from 31% in 2010 to 46% in 2011.

“This remarkable growth in adoption and use has transformed one of the most common transactions in health care into a mainstream electronic health care tool,” Harry Totonis, president and chief executive officer of Surescripts, wrote in a letter.

With the increase in e-prescribing adoption, medication adherence increased as well, according to Surescripts. And this increase in adherence could lead to a 10-year estimated savings of $140 billion to $240 billion, according to Surescripts.

Those physicians who start e-prescribing are doing well with meeting meaningful use requirements. Roughly 60% of those who started e-prescribing in 2008 meet the stage 1 e-prescribing measure and 38% meet the proposed stage 2 measure. Read more:

E-Prescribing Hits a Wall with Renewals

E-Prescribing is Not Error Free