Practice Management

e-Prescribing: is it time to take the plunge?

10 August 2010

Joseph Eastern, MD

Several years ago, experts predicted that e-prescribing would by now be the standard operating procedure. However, for many reasons, this did not happen. The equipment was expensive, the obligatory open internet portal was frequently unreliable or not even available, and most pharmacies weren't equipped to receive e-prescriptions. Most providers could see no real benefit that would be worth the significant investment of money, time, and hassle. By the end of 2009, only 10% of prescriptions were written electronically. However, Dr Eastern suggests that 2010 may be the year in which to reconsider. The CMS has simplified the reporting procedure, and offered a 2% bonus on every Medicare Part B claim filed, whether e-prescribing was involved or not. The technology has improved significantly and has been made readily accessible, and free, to anyone who wants it. Therefore, as he states, it "might be time to consider taking the plunge!"

Electronic Health Records: Here and now and in your face

14 April 2010

Daniel M. Siegel MD, MS

As part of the $100 million initiative to increase spending on health care "information technology" announced by ex-President George Bush in 2004, Electronic Medical Records (EHRs) are finally being introduced in the US. As an incentive to adopt this system, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 has stated that practicing physicians might be eligible for up to $44,000 in payments if proving to be a "meaningful" user of a certified EHR. Dr. Daniel Siegel highlights the many questions facing physicians who choose to take on this software. Which product to use? What software support is available? Is the system relevant to your needs and hardware compatible? Siegel passes on some valuable advice and concludes that "while the US is an example of what can happen, the lessons and pathway may be universal".

Exploring Selection Bias

13 January 2010

Steven Feldman, MD, PHD
Selection bias can have a profound effect on observations, especially as doctors, as you make assumptions or decisions based on what could be non-representative data. In this article, Dr. Steven Feldman explores this issue through different scenarios and shows how this can impact upon your practice and patients. "Whenever we are tempted to think ill of others based on our observations, we really ought to consider the possibility that our observations aren't representative. We would certainly hope that others would extend us that same courtesy" he states.