Effect of e-prescribing systems on patient safety

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Patient Safety
• Clinical Pharmacy

Background:

• E-prescribing systems facilitate electronic prescription transmission from provider to pharmacy.
• Potential patient safety benefits include reduced time gaps, fewer medication errors, and improved care quality.
• Patient safety is considered alongside medication errors and adverse drug events.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of e-prescribing systems.
• To examine the known impacts of e-prescribing on patient safety.
• To identify remaining challenges associated with e-prescribing.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of existing evidence on e-prescribing systems.
• Analysis of studies investigating the relationship between e-prescribing and patient safety outcomes.
• Consideration of provider perspectives and system incentives.

Main Results:

• Some evidence indicates e-prescribing, particularly with decision support, can reduce medication errors.
• Conversely, evidence also suggests e-prescribing can be a source of medication errors.
• Provider belief in improved patient safety with e-prescribing persists despite efficiency concerns.

Conclusions:

• E-prescribing's impact on patient safety is complex, with both benefits and potential risks.
• Further research is crucial, especially given incentives for adoption of e-prescribing with decision support.
• Limited evidence supports improved patient safety when e-prescribing is combined with medication decision support.