eScribing^® Case Study

Christian Care Centers experienced the benefits of electronic prescribing when they implemented eScribing

In an effort to increase efficiencies in the prescription drug process, Christian Care Centers, Inc. chose MDI Achieve's eScribing software, an electronic prescribing system. "It did not make sense NOT to transition to eScribing," states Kim Cook, AVP of Clinical Services at Christian Care Centers. Prior to implementing eScribing, they were using the standard fax and call system for orders and transcribing orders. Cook explains, "The order was received from the prescriber and a nurse called or faxed the order to the pharmacy. The pharmacy would call the nurse back with any questions or issues. The nurse then had to call the MD to clarify and the process would start all over again." eScribing automates this process by providing electronic communication between facilities, payers, pharmacies and physicians, and alleviates many of the challenges facing facilities across the country.

Benefits extend beyond the facility

Christian Care Centers experienced the benefits of electronic prescribing when they implemented eScribing in three of their skilled nursing facilities and in an Alzheimer Assisted Living facility in May 2007. According to the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, 25% of all medication errors result from illegible prescriptions. "The legibility of the doctor or nurse orders was often a challenge for the pharmacist, resulting in further time spent on clarification rather than on resident care," says Cook. "With eScribing, nurses enter orders in real-time eliminating legibility issues and reducing transcription errors, saving time for both the nurse and the pharmacy." This means staff can spend less time on the phone clarifying and renewing prescriptions, and more time helping patients.

But even before the automated order gets to the pharmacy, eScribing offers further benefits. Like most long-term care organizations, the many Medicare Part D plans with their individual formularies and drug coverage levels make it difficult to prescribe accurate medications in a timely, cost-effective manner. "Before eScribing, formulary issues presented a challenge as there was an increase in follow-up calls by the nurse to and from the prescriber and the pharmacy," says Cook. "Now eScribing, with its real-time built-in formulary check for all Part D providers, recognizes the plan the patient is on and points the providers to the most cost-effective medications covered by that plan. This is a significant cost savings for Medicare D providers as well as for Medicare Part A and private pay residents."

In addition to the formulary checks, eScribing uses a comprehensive drug database which contains all medications and strengths, and allows users to set up alerts that inform caregivers of adverse interactions. "The built-in drug-to-drug, drug-to-allergy and drug-to-condition checks prior to completion of order is key for resident safety," says Cook.

Safer for residents and easier for staff

"Our staff at Christian Care Centers believes that electronic prescribing is the wave of the future," states Cook. "The training and support from MDI Achieve enabled nurses who didn't have computer experience to effectively use the system. There is no desire from any of our staff to return to previous paper methods. It's safer for patients and we can easily trace issues that we couldn't with old paper methods."