E-health in preparedness and response.

It is well known that the United States currently spends more per capita on health care than any other nation. Much of this expenditure, about $1.8 trillion, is spent on medical costs associated with chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.1 While more than 109 million Americans report having at least one chronic disease,2 many could not tell you the name, type, or dosages of medications they have been prescribed. One report found that more than fifty percent of patients with chronic disease had at least one unintended medication discrepancy at the time of hospital admission.3 This is especially problematic, as optimal patient care depends upon accurate and timely communication of health conditions, medications, and sources of care.