Medical bodies update e-prescription guide

Six organisations have released an updated version of A Clinician's Guide to Electronic Prescribing, first published in 2008, with the 2011 version reflecting industry changes since then, reports Health Data Management.

The American Medical Association, American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Physicians, Medical Group Management Association, e-Health Initiative and the Centre for Improving Medication Management collaborated on the new guide.

The new version adds policy changes and their implications resulting from the Hitech Act, Affordable Care Act and the Drug Enforcement Agency's rule to permit 'e-prescribing' of controlled substances, along with an easier-to-use format.

According to Modern Healthcare, the guide also includes information on meeting the federal criteria for meaningful use of electronic health-record systems - a necessary precursor to receiving federal health IT subsidies - as well as details on new Medicare e-prescribing requirements and frequently asked questions about adopting health information technology.

The 2011 edition of A Clinician's Guide to Electronic Prescribing is available at the AMA, MGMA and The Centre for Improving Medication Management's Web sites, reveals Becker's Hospital Review.