ePad has several other unique features. Because patient demographics are entered into the physician’s existing practice management system and transmitted to the hand-held when it is docked, the physician does not have to enter any patient data. To write a prescription for a patient who has not previously been entered into the system, the user docks the hand-held in the cradle for synchronization. Also, all prescriptions are transmitted from the vendor’s central computer servers either electronically or by fax to any pharmacy in the United States. Users can also print from the hand-held to a local printer. To generate chart documentation, the user can configure ePad to automatically print a copy of the prescription on the local computer when it transmits to the pharmacy. ePad currently comes bundled with ePhysician Superbill for charge capture and is integrated with Drug Facts and Comparisons. It also includes a Web interface that allows my staff to efficiently process prescription renewals, and a scheduling module that makes it possible to schedule patients on the computer. This schedule is viewable on the hand-held device.
ePad by ePhysician with the OmniSky wireless service is simple, efficient, and powerful. Its interface was designed with a focus on the physician user. Although there is a subscription charge for ePad, the fee pales in comparison with the cost of lost physician productivity due to the inefficient technology of printing prescriptions locally (or writing them by hand). Using the ePad system in our office has resulted in very positive patient feedback and increased efficiency and job satisfaction among staff.
AllScripts
Reviewed by Azar A. Korbey, MD
At the installation stage, AllScripts’ on-site team realizes that the use of these systems require change. They take the time to train the staff and make them part of the process. AllScripts differs from the other systems, because after the selection of the patient name, users select their most frequently coded diseases listed by common name and International Classification of Diseases-ninth revision code. This list is prescriber-specific, not patient-specific. Users can also access the patient’s prescription and diagnosis histories, and the AllScripts system automatically checks for previous adverse drug reactions. Next, AllScripts shows the medicines that the user most frequently prescribes for a disease. AllScripts learns each user’s prescribing preferences, so users do not need to enter their favorite prescriptions. The list also shows preferred instructions for any given medication, and if AllScripts’ office dispensing system is used, it will tell users whether they have the drug in inventory. To produce a prescription, the prescriber may modify a prescription from a frequently used list or choose from any other drug in AllScripts’ database.
Users have access to all patients in the practice through the network, regardless of provider or schedule. Patients not registered with the practice can be manually added into the hand-held device or desktop computer server. Unlike the other systems, AllScripts automatically produces a mailing address-sized label for chart documentation that includes all details of the prescription. The vendor also sells a turnkey pharmacy service (FirstFill) for in-office dispensing. It is only for common medications, and is similar to providing samples. The local wireless network is fast; high-speed access to the Internet is proving very useful.
AllScripts is complete and does what it promises. It is a well-funded, publicly traded company that is adding applications and acquiring additional companies that will allow dictation and charge-capture systems to be added. I have had long-term experience with the product and its exemplary phone support, and I believe they will both be around in the future. They are even willing to come on site immediately, if required. I strongly recommend this system.
Editor’s Note: We had hoped to include the iScribe 3000 system (www.iscribe.com) in this review but could not obtain the product and complete the review in time for publication. We plan to publish a software review of iScribe in a future issue of JFP.