Harnessing technology to improve patient care.

The authors of “Electronic Prescribing: Improving the Efficiency and Accuracy of Prescribing in the Ambulatory Care Setting” write how e-prescribing can play an important role in enhancing safety and quality. E-prescribing allows prescribers to send prescriptions electronically to the pharmacy and can be a stand-alone system or part of an integrated EHR system. Research suggests medication errors have been reduced to as little as one-seventh of their previous level. However, there are significant implementation barriers including cost, lack of provider support, patient privacy, system errors and legal issues.