{"id":343,"date":"2015-03-12T16:18:52","date_gmt":"2015-03-12T16:18:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emr-ehrs.com\/blog\/?p=343"},"modified":"2023-06-16T06:39:07","modified_gmt":"2023-06-16T06:39:07","slug":"electronic-prescribing-controlled-substances-improves-safety-patient-care","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emr-ehrs.com\/blog\/electronic-prescribing-controlled-substances-improves-safety-patient-care\/","title":{"rendered":"Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances Improves Safety, Patient Care"},"content":{"rendered":"

In 2009, more than 1 million emergency department visits were attributed to prescription drug abuse<\/a>. Controlled substances have the potential for dependence and overdose; therefore, precautions must be taken when prescribing these medications. Electronic prescribing<\/a> of controlled substances (EPCS) is one way to improve safety and quality of care. It allows providers to write and send prescriptions securely and electronically to a patient\u2019s pharmacy, which helps control prescription drug abuse.<\/p>\n

The Drug Enforcement Agency first approved the use of EPCS in 2010, and it is now legal in 49 states, plus Washington, DC. EPCS not only helps control prescription drug abuse through refill request monitoring; it can also alert pharmacists to multiple prescriptions for the same patient by different providers.<\/p>\n

Some of the other benefits of writing and transmitting controlled substances prescriptions electronically include:<\/p>\n