Patient Safety & Healthcare Utilization

An Empirical Model to Estimate the Potential Impact of Medication Safety Alerts on Patient Safety, Health Care Utilization, and Cost in Ambulatory Care

Article Analysis

For partial completion of the requirements for

PADM 6515 Health Organizations & Delivery Systems

Fall 2009

This article evaluates an investigative study on prescriptions written by ambulatory care clinicians over the course of a six month period beginning in January 2006. The methodology used in this study allowed the researchers to monitor medication alerts via an electronic prescribing system to estimate the impact on patient safety, health care utilization and cost savings. As the integrated system of healthcare continues to expand, there is a great need for administrative accountability, cost containment and increased efficiency.

Advancements in information and medical technology have improved the quality of life for many patients, especially the elderly population where hybrid plans like Pocket Script, notify pharmacists, physicians and patients of potentially fatal drug interactions and medical alerts. The article explains how this application allows practitioners to electronically submit prescriptions to a pharmacy from a computer or PDA where the data is compared to a profile of patient’s current medications and previously written prescriptions. The preferred method of prescription drug monitoring in my department is www.prescriptionmonitoring.state.tn.us; a website that lists most medications that have been prescribed by physicians in a three year period, eliminating the need for paper and implementing a system of electronic health records that is readily accessible to multiple providers.

In our office we use cutting edge technology with advanced 3-D sensors to work with physicians and other medical practitioners for treatment planning precision and enhanced diagnosis of maxillofacial reconstruction, implantology and several other complex treatment challenges.

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