Quality improvement interventions successfully increased e-prescribing frequency by nearly 40%

Anuja Vaidya -

A new study, published in Pediatrics, examined if a quality improvement initiative could increase the frequency of electronic prescribing at a children's hospital.

Researchers conducted surveys and focus groups with patient families and pediatric residents to identify barriers and propose solutions for e-prescribing. They then created the following interventions:

•    Provider education
•    Changes in patient registration workflow
•    EHR changes to improve the frequency of e-prescribing on the pediatric hospital medicine service

The study period spanned one year, from July 2014 to June 2015.

Here are four insights:

1. Over the study period, e-prescribing frequency on the pediatric hospital medicine service improved from a median of 7.4 percent to 48.9 percent.

2. The improved e-prescribing frequency was sustained for additional six months.

3. The frequency of pediatric hospital medicine prescription errors remained unchanged.

4. The researchers concluded, however, that more studies are necessary to determine whether increased frequency of e-prescribing has an impact on patient outcomes and compliance.

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