Medication and prescriptions are a very important part of any medical practice, but you don’t need to be told that. If you run a practice, or if you have ever visited a doctor’s office, then you already know how many prescriptions move in and out.
The margin for error is practically zero, because a wrong medication could have severe results. EHR, or Electronic Health Records, have helped to mitigate some of the potential damage, though some of the responsibility falls back on the provider. The benefits of EHR cannot be denied in this aspect. In addition to that, for prevention, the Institute for Safe Medical Practice has compiled a list of high-alert medications.
High-Alert Medications- What Are They?
High-alert medications fall into many different categories, and most assuredly you will find those that can have dangerous effects no matter what. Another important inclusion on the list, however, are the examples of medications with sound-alike names. There are also look-alikes, and while these may be virtually identical to another pill, they have different properties and therefore different effects on the user. A good EHR system will be able to reference this list and alert the prescriber before they make the commitment.
EHR Can Save a Life
There is no doubt that a good Electronic Health Record System can save a life. They should be deployed in any practice and can even make the rest of the daily tasks run more smoothly. Most importantly, using a paid EHR is preferable over some of the free options on the market as it comes with more support and can further reduce the chance for mistakes. Remember: when it comes to medication or any other item in healthcare practice, there is simply no room for error.
