A study by MGMA’s Group Practice Research Network estimated that the time spent managing unnecessary administrative complexity related to prescriptions can be valued at approximately $15,700 a year for each full time physician. This figure is based on time associated with manually processing refills, resolving issues related to formulary (which specifies a patient’s drug coverage) as well as issues related to dosage and legibility. It is important to note that this estimate does not take into consideration the time spent managing faxes…doing so may drive these drive these estimates even higher*. E-prescribing can reduce the amount of time your practice spends on these unnecessary activities - which could translate into more time with patients for physicians and more efficient use of staff.
*2004 MGMA – Analyzing cost of administrative complexity in group practice.

A study conducted by Brown University showed that the average time per day spent managing prescription refills for both physicians and staff was cut in half once the practice implemented pharmacy connectivity.

These efficiencies have been shown to add up to real savings for connected EMR users:

Click on the quote to view full “Peer Perspectives”

“By automating the entire prescribing process— both new prescriptions and refills, and all related documentation— my individual practice is saving an estimated 10 hours each week, just by reducing the number of calls and faxes needed to handle all of these prescriptions” -- Dr. David Gorelick, Newport, RI.

“Thanks to the use of my EMR and e-prescribing systems, my daily efficiency has increased tenfold.” – Dr. Michael Randolph, Baltimore, MD

By streamlining and automating the overall prescription refill process, “we’re saving more than 2 hours each day — time that can now be spent on other, more patient-oriented tasks.” Richard King, D.O, Las Vegas, NV