Posted: | January 15, 2013 11:17 AM |
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From: | Representative Matthew E. Baker |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Reintroduction of E-prescribing legislation (Former HB 341) |
In the near future, I plan to re-introduce legislation (former HB 341) requiring health care facilities throughout the Commonwealth to utilize an electronic prescribing system. Electronic prescribing, or “e-prescribing,” is a prescriber's ability to electronically send an accurate, error-free and understandable prescription directly to a pharmacy from the point-of-care. It is an important element in improving the quality of health care. My legislation would require health care facilities to provide all medical staff with prescriptive authority access to an electronic prescribing system that can identify harmful drug interactions. When applying for a license, facilities would be required to certify that they provide access to such a system. The bill would also establish guidelines for physicians who choose to use electronic prescribing and require physicians to certify that they have access to a system and report whether it is being used for writing prescriptions. Finally, the bill would provide for grants to be made available to assist health care facilities in acquiring an e-prescribing system The widespread adoption and use of electronic prescribing can improve patient safety, reduce medication and medical errors, increase efficiency and reduce the cost of health care for all Pennsylvanians. It can be an integral part of a successful strategy for patients, physicians, health care providers, pharmacists and payers, working together in partnership to ensure a safer, more efficient and cost effective healthcare delivery environment for all. PREVIOUS COSPONSORS: BAKER , PICKETT , CUTLER , MAJOR , CALTAGIRONE , P. COSTA , J. EVANS , EVERETT , GEIST , GINGRICH , GOODMAN, GROVE, HORNAMAN , JOSEPHS , KORTZ , MANN , MICOZZIE , MOUL , O'NEILL , READSHAW , REICHLEY , VULAKOVICH and MURT |
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View Attachment |
Introduced as HB588