The ePrescribe tool allows doctors who are working with an agency to electronically prescribe medications.  The scripts are submitted directly to the client’s pharmacy.  As an added benefit, the prescribed medications are then synced to the Medications tab of the client record.  These meds can then be formatted to display on the medical note, all of which provide an efficient means for managing meds.

The ePrescribe tool is launched from the client record.  Any prescribing physician or clinician will need access to this via the desktop security tab in the security menu.  There is a set of paperwork that must first be completed in order to register doctors associated with an agency and allow them the needed access.  Work with the Aym implementation manager to complete this step.

To utilize this function,  the pre-configured users will go to the Clients desktop;  find the client to prescribe meds for, and launch ePrescribe.

First, verify the patient name and demographics.  Verify the pharmacy.  If the pharmacy is not correct, not established, or has changed, click the Change link.  Enter the Pharmacy name and city and any other details, clicking Find to search. If the client does not have a pharmacy, then it is recommended to type the city and state and click Find to search all potential pharmacies.  Up to 5 pharmacies can be stored per client.  If a pharmacy isn’t returned on the search results, go to Add a new pharmacy to the practice list link.  Phone/fax are critical because ePrescribe will fax the script to the pharmacy.  Users can also add to the favorite list so that the pharmacy is returned in future searches.

Once the pharmacy is established, the system will attempt to verify the Formulary.  This is the client’s insurance.  It will populate if the client name, DOB and SSN are entered correctly in OnTarget Clinical.  It will most likely match to any type of private insurances, but not all entitlement programs will be listed.  A prompt will appear that will show what their insurance will cover.  For example, if the insurance will only cover generic medications or that savings is greater for a 90 day supply.  The formulary will also request a medication history such as when meds were prescribed by others, and when they were started/stopped, etc.  Be sure to obtain a release from the client prior to accessing this information.  It is typical to see up to 2 years of prior history for everything the insurance has paid for (not cash payments).  If the formulary does not populate, click Add to enter the client funding source and last name and search for a connection.

It is important to then ensure that any allergies are noted.  This will allow the system to properly perform drug to allergy checking to ensure that any possible adverse reactions are identified.  Click on the Manage Allergies link or review the Current Allergies section to review and enter the client allergies.

To begin prescribing the medications, go to Manage Medications.  If med’s have already been prescribed, they will be listed and available to for modifications, such as refilling, or stopping the med or revising the dosing.  If the medication has yet to be prescribed, type the name of the med or select from the Favorites list.  The favorites list can be managed under the Additional Options link.  When entering the name of the med, select the dosing.  Then, enter the details of the script.  Note the Dose Calculator, which advises on the proper dosing for the clients weight.

The Directions To Patient field will print on the sticker that is placed on the bottle.  The directions to pharmacy field will relay any special instructions to the pharmacist, such as in compounding of custom medications.

The Comments section appears on the medication report within the software but doesn’t go to the consumer or pharmacy.  These are only internal notes for reference purposes.

Continue adding all meds accordingly.  When the script is ready to be sent to the pharmacy, click on the Prescribe link by the client’s name.  Review the medications and click on one of the Renew/Prescribe/Stop links accordingly.

When clicking Prescribe, verify all information presented.  The provider populates, which is the prescribing physician. Click Continue after all data has been confirmed.  Users have the option to add the med to the favorites list for future reference.

The Send and Print button will send the script and print out a copy w/watermark.  This does not allow patients to fill the script but it is a copy to give to the patient.  Print w/o sending will be used for schedule 2 – 5 drugs, as they require a printed copy (cannot be done electronically).  If the intended pharmacy doesn’t accept electronic orders, then ePrescribe will send a fax.

24 hours after the ePrescribing took place, the medications will populate to the client record within OnTarget Clinical. The Prescription report can be helpful for understanding the status of a med; whether it is pending/completed/undeliverable as well as the history of medications.