Mobile Technology Helps Clinicians Reduce Medical Errors and Prescription Drug Costs
Providers will have access to Blue Cross and Blue Shield's list of covered drugs through the Epocrates hand-held drug reference applications designed for the Palm OS and Pocket PC platforms and through the Epocrates Rx Online(TM) reference available for Internet-connected desktop computers. All Epocrates products are easily downloadable via the Internet and are currently used by over 27 percent of Vermont physicians.
Within the Epocrates drug reference applications, providers can easily check formulary status, prior authorization requirements, alternatives, generic substitutes and quantity limits. The drug reference also includes over
3,000 drug monographs along with indications, a built-in dosing calculator, contraindications, drug interactions, adverse reactions, cost information, and the MultiCheck(R) function capable of checking up to 30 drugs simultaneously for interactions.
"This service will enable physicians to quickly and easily identify the most appropriate drug for our members, thereby improving the quality of their care," said Dr. John Grossomanides, Director of Pharmacy for Blue Cross and Blue Shield and its HMO affiliate, The Vermont Health Plan. "This tool also will make it easier for physicians to access cost information and incorporate that important factor into their discussions with their patients."
In addition to the importance of clinicians and patients discussing clinical aspects of prescribed medication, there is growing recognition of the need to discuss drug costs -- before writing the prescription. A University of Michigan study funded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality showed that drug costs impact whether patients continue their drug regimens.
Many chronically ill patients never tell their doctor or nurse they've had to cut back on prescription drugs because they are too expensive, and many physicians never ask if the drugs are unaffordable according to the report published in the September 13, 2004 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Another study by researchers from the University of Michigan Health System and Cleveland Clinic published in the June issue of the Journal of General Internal Medicine, looked at the impact of higher co-pays on cholesterol lowering drugs and found that nearly half of patients who have a prescription for any of the cholesterol-fighting drugs called statins fail to fill their prescription often enough -- or stop filling it altogether.
Patients whose out-of-pocket costs are more than $20 for each month's supply are three times more likely to fall behind on their prescription, and four times more likely to stop taking the drug altogether, than those whose co-pay is under $10.
"By being able to not only look up drug reference information at the point-of-care, but also co-pay schedules, health plan formularies, the availability of lower cost generics and even approximate retail prices, health care professionals who rely on Epocrates are equipped to communicate about all aspects of medication with patients," said Andrew Burns, vice president of Health Services, Epocrates.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is the state's oldest and largest private health insurer, providing health benefits coverage for about 180,000 Vermonters. It employs over 350 Vermonters at its headquarters in Berlin and branch office in Williston, and offers group and individual health plans. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is an independent corporation operating under a license with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.
For more information, visit http://www.bcbsvt.com.
About Epocrates, Inc.
San Mateo, CA-based Epocrates Inc. is the leading provider of clinical information at the point of care, with more than 420,000 health care professionals, including over 25 percent of U.S. physicians, actively using its products. Epocrates' product offering is led by the Epocrates(R)
Essentials mobile clinical reference suite featuring all of the key decision support applications -- drugs, diseases, and diagnostics -- required for today's health care professional. The Epocrates Rx(R) and Epocrates Rx Pro(TM) drug reference products are the most widely used in the industry, by individual clinicians and by medical groups, hospitals, universities and medical libraries. Epocrates also provides formulary information from health plans, hospitals, Medicaid agencies and pharmacy benefit management (PBM) companies that represent over 95 million individuals, and messaging and market research services. For more information, visit http://www.epocrates.com.
Mobile Technology Ajutã clinicienilor Reducerea Erori medicale ºi de medicamente Costuri - Mobile Technology Helps Clinicians Reduce Medical Errors and Prescription Drug Costs - articole medicale engleza - startsanatate