Drug Interaction Data for EHRs and ePrescribers

Since the beginning of the government's Meaningful Use incentive plan, specialists have been in a strange position. Although they were eventually granted the right to seek exceptions from certain measurement criteria that didn't apply to their fields, they are still required to implement fully functional EMR or EHR systems that can do everything the CMS and ONC stipulate.

An increasing number of dentists are in the same boat as well, as state mandates require them to implement systems that include functionality (like ePrescribing) that they may only use occasionally. This means that EMR vendors who create systems for specialists and dentists are now looking for ways to implement the broader functionality required by law without raising prices on their customers who may not see much value in it.

What are web services and how can they help?
Web services are a different method of accessing some of the functionality required by Meaningful Use and state mandates. Instead of implementing and updating a database in-house to drive the functionality, web services allow a vendor to access information remotely only when needed. By using web services, you don't need to expend valuable development resources on non-essential functions. You can also arrange with a vendor like Lexicomp to pay only for the functionality that you'll be using.

When it comes to functions like ePrescribing, dose range checking, interaction checking, and allergy checking, web services aren't appropriate for everyone. Heavy users of those functions will still want to have a local database they can quickly query with reliable redundant back-ups. But for those who consider this functionality a low priority or infrequent need, web services offer a new, more easily implemented, and sometimes less expensive solution to help dentists and specialists meet government requirements.

Contact Lexicomp today for more information!