Rx DRUGS: Medical Group Goes Wireless To Prevent Errors
In an effort to reduce the number of medical errors caused by poor handwriting, the doctors of the San Jose Medical Group have begun to use hand-held computers to write prescriptions, the Los Angeles Times reports. The "personal prescribers" are developed by Hewlett-Packard and "are loaded with pharmaceutical software." The device informs doctors about which medications patients can receive under their insurance and transmits prescriptions to a pharmacy. It also helps to prevent drug interactions by tracking all medications taken by patients, including those prescribed by other doctors. Dr. David Trager, a pediatrician with the San Jose group who initiated the move away from paper prescriptions, said, "Of the 140 doctors we have, about eight were resistant to (the change)." Each doctor pays $250 a month for the service (Condon, Los Angeles Times, 10/19).
This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.