The Power Of E-Prescriptions In Ensuring Healthcare Safety And Efficiency

Èmi kò mọ̀ bí mo ṣe lè ka nkan tó wà níbẹ.”

The number of times elderly patients have come to me for help reading their drug prescriptions because they look jumbled and confusing is countless.

Honestly, even I can hardly bring myself to read them; they often look like one of those ancient cursive writings.

Handwritten prescriptions have long been associated with misinterpretations due to poor handwriting, the use of ambiguous abbreviations, and human oversight. 

Illegible handwriting on prescriptions causes over 7,000 deaths annually in the U.S. alone”.

This survey was done in the United States, which obviously highlights how grave the issue is.

The truth is that beyond the problem of poor handwriting, there was also the issue of drug adherence, errors in dispensing, and delays in treatment.

The transition into electronic prescriptions, commonly known as e-prescriptions, was not just a matter of levelling up but a necessary step towards saving lives and improving healthcare efficiency.

But first, what exactly is an e-prescription?

Simply put, an e-prescription is when a doctor sends your drug prescription directly to the pharmacy using a computer or a handheld device, instead of the usual ink on paper.

The pharmacy receives it almost instantly, processes it, and prepares your medication before you arrive.

This cancels out “Adìẹ kọ́wé, oyinbó ò kà á,” a humorous Yoruba expression that critiques illegible handwriting by likening it to chicken scratchings that no one can read.

It is an easy, fast, and safe complete shift from the old, stressful method.

We have to understand how pivotal e-prescriptions are going to be in healthcare.

The most important of them all is Safety. E-prescriptions will help reduce the risks of misreading prescriptions, ensuring medication errors are drastically reduced.

It also ensures that pharmacists are able to see exactly what the doctor prescribes, clearly and accurately.

Additionally, many of the e-prescription systems come equipped with safety checks.

For instance, the system sends an alert if a doctor mistakenly prescribes a drug that could cause an allergic reaction or dangerously interact with another medication the patient takes.

This way, errors are caught and corrected even before the prescription is finalised, providing an extra layer of protection for patients.

Efficiency is another significant advantage.

In the traditional system, patients had to physically carry their prescriptions to the pharmacy, and pharmacists would spend time trying to interpret and fill them.

With e-prescriptions, that time is saved.

The pharmacist can begin preparing the medication immediately after receiving the prescription electronically, ensuring patients get their medications faster and more smoothly.

Moreover, e-prescriptions make tracking patients’ medication histories easier, making follow-up care more organised and effective.

Today, e-prescriptions have been widely adopted across many parts of the world.

In the United States, the practice became widespread following the Medicare Modernisation Act and has been expanded through the HITECH Act.

In the United Kingdom, the NHS Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) has made e-prescribing the norm in both primary and secondary care.

Countries like Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Australia have also fully embraced the system, integrating it into their national healthcare models.

Even in countries like Nigeria, although still in early stages, some urban hospitals and private clinics are beginning to adopt e-prescriptions as part of their digital health strategies.

However, like any technological advancement, the journey towards full adoption comes with challenges.

Technical issues like system downtimes, the cost of setting up electronic prescribing systems, and the need for adequate training for healthcare providers are some of the hurdles faced.

Nonetheless, as technology becomes more accessible and healthcare professionals become more tech-savvy, these barriers are gradually being overcome.

In conclusion, the shift from handwritten prescriptions to e-prescriptions is one of the smartest moves modern healthcare has made.

E-prescriptions not only eliminate the confusion of poor handwriting but also reduce medication errors, improve patient safety, speed up drug delivery, and enhance overall healthcare efficiency.

Healthcare should not be complicated or dangerous because of avoidable mistakes.

With e-prescriptions, we are moving closer to a safer, smarter, and more patient-centered healthcare system—one clear and secure step at a time.

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